Posted in 5*, Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Fantasy, Seasonal

If your looking for a Halloween read, look no further than The Once and Future Witches by Alix E Harrow

Today I am so excited to be joining the blog tour for The Once and Future Witches, I absolutely love fantasy and witch craft and this has been the perfect story to read in the lead up to Halloween.

My Review

Oh what a superb read, I love anything about witch craft and this book was superb beginning to end.

In this story we meet the Eastwood sisters, who all hold a different interest in the lost ways of witching and follow their story as they set about unlocking the lost ways of Avalon. I loved how this story referred to the Sister’s Grimm stories and how the spells were sung using nursery rhymes and myths. The words flow from the pages like one long spell being sung and the further I read, the more the story leapt effortlessly off of the pages.

If you love witch craft you will love this, a story full of witching ways, with whispered spells and shadows hiding around corners. I am so disappointed to reach the end as I loved the way the story was written and will miss the wonderful Eastwood sisters and their whispered words.

The perfect read for Halloween and I am so excited to be able to share my review and recommend this wonderful read!!

Book Blurb

In 1893, there’s no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the three Eastwood sisters join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten ways that might turn the women’s movement into the witch’s movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote – and perhaps not even to live – the sisters must delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.

There’s no such thing as witches. But there will be.

Available to purchase here

Meet Alix E Harrow

I’ve been a student and a teacher, a farm-worker and a cashier, an ice-cream-scooper and a 9-to-5 office-dweller. I’ve lived in tents and cars, cramped city apartments and lonely cabins, and spent a summer in a really sweet ’79 VW Vanagon Westfalia. I have library cards in at least five states.

Now I’m a full-time writer living in with my husband and two semi-feral kids in Berea, Kentucky. It is, I’m very sure, the best of all possible worlds.

Massive thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for the invitation to join this blog tour, after loving The Ten Thousand Doors of January I was very excited to pick up my copy of The Once and Future Witches and I hope you love it too!

Please remember to like and share to help spread the book love!

Many thanks for the invitation to read and review your latest release.

Massive thanks to everyone who has stopped by to visit my blog, please remember to like and share to help spread the book love far and wide!

Have a great day

Daisy, Jacks & Kel x

Advertisement
Posted in 5*, Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Debut Book, Fantasy

Today I am so excited to be sharing my review for the stunning read that is Feathertide by Beth Cartwright

Today I am delighted to be joining the blog tour for Feathertide by Beth Cartwright, a superb debut that captured me and took me on a wonderful journey.

 

My Review

I honestly don’t know where to begin with a review for this one as it was simply a stunning story, that was beautifully written full of love and discovery. The first thing that caught my eye about this book was the gorgeous colours of the cover and then once I’d read the blurb I couldn’t wait to read it and quickly added it to the toppling pile.

Marea had been kept a secret for her entire childhood and this story focused on how she moves forward to create her own destiny and discover more about where she came from and who she really is. Whilst learning to live without the protection of her mother she meets a variety of people who all help her to forge her own path.

Feathertide is full of characters that make your heart soar and simultaneously fill you with sadness. Brimming with vivid visual descriptions as well as detailed sounds and smell, it is an assault on the senses and makes you feel like you have been transported into the story. As Marea’s story unfolds it peels back the layers to help shed the ugliness and revel in the beauty that takes its place.

An emotional read full of highs and lows that take you on a wonderful journey, where you explore and learn about magical islands and meet an eclectic group of people who help Marea with her self discovery. This is a book that brings that magical special ingredient that I love to discover in a book and I highly recommend adding it to your TBR pile.

 

Book Blurb

Born covered in the feathers of a bird, and kept hidden in a crumbling house full of secrets, Marea has always known she was different, but never known why. And so to find answers, she goes in search of the father she has never met.

The hunt leads her to the City of Murmurs, a place of mermaids and mystery, where jars of swirling mist are carried through the streets by the broken-hearted.

And Marea will never forget what she learns there.

 

Feathertide jacket

Available to purchase here

 

About the Author

Beth Cartwright has taught English in Greece and travelled around South East Asia and South America, where she worked at an animal sanctuary. A love of language and the imaginary led her to study English Literature and Linguistics at university, and she now lives on the edge of the Peak District with her family and two cats. Feathertide is her debut novel.

 

Social Media Links

Twitter @bethcartwriter
Instagram @bethcartwriter

 

Feathertide Blog Tour Banner

Many thanks to Penguin Random House for the invitation to join the blog tour, please remember to like and share to help spread the book love! 

Thanks for visiting Love the Smell of a Book today!

 

img_20200414_083539_7671070680301179253724.jpg

 

 

Posted in Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Fantasy

Today I am sharing my publication day review for The Book of Koli (The Rampart Trilogy 1) by M.R Carey

Today I am joining the blog tour for The Book of Koli by M.R Carey, this is a new author to me and this is a book with an interesting storyline with a dystopian twist and vivid descriptions.

Book Review


Koli is set in a post apolyptic world where life is a constant struggle for survival in a small population where you can not venture beyond the boundaries in place.

The story is written from the perspective of  Koli who lives in Mythen Rood not too close to the trees that have become dangerous. The world they now live in with its choker trees is a testing world full of manual hard work for Koli’s family as the balance between nature, humans and technology swings back to nature having more control.

I initially found this book hard to connect with as I struggled to find a reading pace as the terminology and words used aren’t how we would use them and it kept making me question and double back. However I am pleased I stuck with it as the story as it started to unfold captured my imagination.

As I kept reading the pace increased and as I hit 50%, I became more intrigued and keen to keep reading to see what would come next and as I adapted to the writing style I found myself wanting to pick it up to find out where Koli was taking us and what he would do on leaving Mythen Rood.

Book Blurb

EVERYTHING THAT LIVES HATES US . . .

Beyond the walls of the small village of Mythen Rood lies an unrecognisable landscape. A place where overgrown forests are filled with choker trees and deadly seeds that will kill you where you stand. And if they don’t get you, the Shunned men will.

Koli has lived in Mythen Rood his entire life. He believes the first rule of survival is that you don’t venture too far beyond the walls.

He’s wrong.

 

Screenshot 2020-03-31 at 12.41.30

Available to purchase here

 

About the Author

M. R. Carey has been making up stories for most of his life. His novel The Girl With All the Gifts was a word-of-mouth bestseller and is now a major motion picture based on his own screenplay. Under the name Mike Carey he has written for both DC and Marvel, including critically acclaimed runs on Lucifer, Hellblazer and X-Men. His creator-owned series The Unwritten appeared regularly in the New York Times graphic fiction bestseller list. He also has several previous novels, games, radio plays, and TV and movie screenplays to his credit.

 

Book of Koli blog tour

Many thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for the opportunity to read and review this book, please remember to like and share! 

Posted in Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult

#Review Happy Publication day to Lana Melyan! Today I am sharing my review for Legacy (The Weight of Magic Book Two) #PublicationDay #BackaBlogger #TBConFB @lanamelyan

Legacy picks up straight from the end of the first book where Nicky is left reeling following the death of her parents and with many unanswered questions. I was left hooked after the first instalment and keen to read this book which I devoured in a short sitting.

The book is now really picking up the pace as it is unfolding and during this short story you learn more about the families history and how this links to the chain of events that are currently taking place and the dangers that they are facing.

A brilliant second instalment that I flew through eager to see where to story was headed and I am looking forward to continuing to read this series.

 

Book Blurb

I’m a witch now.

I have my powers, but the price I paid was too high.
And as if that wasn’t enough, the responsibility dropped on my shoulders by Callahan magic is too heavy to carry alone.

The only one who can help me is Nathan.
But can I trust him?

 

Screenshot 2019-10-10 at 10.02.33

Available to purchase here on kindle

Many thanks to the TBC Reviewer Group for the opportunity to read and review this series so far and don’t forget to check out my earlier blog post for the first book in The Weight of Magic series

 

 

Posted in Adult Fiction, Fantasy

#Review Today is publication day for The First Wave: The Weight of Magic Episode 1 by Lana Melyan #PublicationDay #BackaBlogger #TBConFB @lanamelyan

Today is publication day for The First Wave by Lana Melyan which is the first short story in The Weight of Magic series. This is a  brilliant first instalment for this series where you  have the opportunity to get to know the characters and a glimpse into the world they live in.

I really enjoyed getting to know Nicky & Connie as they transition from normal teenage life to a life including their powers. With Gran and her much loved bookstore and a powerful warlock as a Father, these best friends are eachothers confidantes and take everything on together.

A superb first book that leads you into the series, I can’t wait to read the second book to see where this series is taking us as I felt bereft when I reached the end of this book and wants to know what comes next.

 

Book Blurb

I’m the daughter of a powerful warlock. Magic is in my blood.

Something bad is brewing in the magical world, and I can’t wait for my powers to kick in, so I can help the coven, be useful. But I’m nearly eighteen and still not a witch.

Where did my magic go? And why do my witch parents act so suspiciously when I come to them with my questions?

On the first day of school, I notice a guy, too old to be a student. He watches me from afar – sometimes with a smirk, sometimes with a frown on his handsome face.

The question is – what does he want from me?

My best friend Connie thinks it’s merely an innocent flirt, but something tells me that the answer is more complicated than that.

 

Screenshot 2019-09-17 at 11.47.16

Available to purchase here

Posted in Adult Fiction, Fantasy

#Review Today I am taking part in the blog tour for The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E Harrow #CompulsiveReaders #BlogTour #TenThousandDoors @AlixEHarrow @OrbitBooks @Tr4cyF3nt0n

Ten Thousand Doors Blog Tour asset part 2 - updated.jpg

Today I am excited to be joining the blog tour for The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E Harrow.

This is a magical story that takes you on a journey, it is a story within a story that pulls you in so you just want to keep reading.

January is the narrator of this story which starts from when she first discovers a journal and the magic of writing at the age of 7 and continues up until she is 17. She discovers her first door at the age of 7 and begins to question where it came from and why Mr Locke is so adamant she forgets and becomes a good obedient girl.

This book takes you through her childhood and interweves with a book she has found about her father’s journey and discoveries, which make her question her life so far.

I absolutely loved this book, I found that once I got to about 30% I didn’t want to put the book down. It pulls you in so that you have to know what happens to January and her friendship with Samuel. A superb book that is a mix of adventure, mystical and romance.

Book Blurb

EVERY STORY OPENS A DOOR

In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller is a curiosity herself. As the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, she feels little different from the artifacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely ignored and utterly out of place.

But her quiet existence is shattered when she stumbles across a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger. Each page reveals more impossible truths about the world, and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.

Screenshot 2019-09-15 at 07.45.24

Available to purchase here

Posted in Blog Tour, Fantasy, Younger Readers Age 9-12

#BlogTour #Review The Curse of Ragman’s Hollow by Rhys A Jones #childrensbook @rararesources

The Curse of Ragmans Hollow Full Tour Banner

Today I am inviting my daughter Daisy to my blog to help kick off the blog tour and share her review for The Curse of Ragman’s Hollow.

Daisy was really excited to read this book after I shared the blurb with her and dove straight in once the book arrived.

Daisy’s Review Age 11

Ragman’s cove was a really good book and draws you in so you want to keep reading.

It has really good descriptions and is an amazing supernatural book. My favourite character was Sam, he may have been considered crazy but I loved his fun character.

I loved the adventures and how super exciting it was throughout the story and would recommend this book to other children who enjoy fantasy and magic with some adventure. I would love to read more books by this author.

Book Blurb

Just a walk in the countryside. What could possibly go wrong

Sam Jones’s grandmother is training him to be one of the Cunning Folk, like her, and exams are looming.

But Sam’s mother has holiday plans and drags him off to a remote cottage in the middle of nowhere for some country air. No mobile phone, nettle soup and long walks are the rule. One such walk takes them to Ragman’s Hollow, a place the locals avoid with good reason.
It’s a place where people and animals go missing, never to be found.

That’s just superstitious nonsense, according to Sam’s mother. But there is no smoke without fire and Sam soon finds himself up against an old, very spiteful, and very tricky enemy.
He’s going to need every ounce of his cunning to stop the Ragman. But can he do it alone?

The Curse of Ragmans Hollow Cover

Available to purchase on here

About the Author

Rhys A Jones was born in 1955 and grew up in a mining village in South Wales with his nose in a book and his head in the clouds. He managed to subdue his imagination long enough to carve out a career in medicine, writing whenever the chance arose.

The Merryweathers mysteries feature a boy and his more-than-meets-the-eye Granny Merryweather. The Curse of Wihtlea Barrows (previously the Dreables) and The Curse of Borage Doone have just been released as paperbacks with new covers and a new publisher (Wyrmwood). The third in the series entitled The Curse of Ragman’s Hollow is now available at last

Rhys is currently writing The Artefact Quintet featuring eleven-year-old Oz Chambers whose family inherits a ‘haunted’ house. His mother wants to leave, but Oz wants to unlock the house’s mysteries and uncovers a secret that will change his life forever.

Rhys also writes for adults as DC Farmer and Dylan Young

He has three grownup children who have emerged remarkably unscathed into adulthood. When not writing, he practices medicine and lives in darkest West Wales with his understanding (very) wife and dog.

Oh, and the Rhys is pronounced Reece–as in the actor Rhys Ifans of Mr Lovegood (Harry Potter) and The Lizard (The Amazing Spiderman) fame. Or perhaps it’s easier if you just think of Reece Witherspoon, though she is a lady.

 

Social Media Links

Author Website – https://jonestheauthor.com/rhys-a-jones-landing/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RAJonesauthor/

 

Giveaway to Win a signed copy of the Merryweathers Mysteries series (Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/preview/232/

Massive thanks to Rachel and Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting us to take part.

Posted in Adult Fiction, Fantasy

Today I am sharing my review for the brilliant The Sister’s Secrets: Reen (Book 2) by Katlyn Duncan #TBConFB #RR @katlyn_duncan

Reen was a recommendation and is the second book in the The Sister’s Secrets trilogy, I have read the instalment about Reen as a standalone book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am now keen to go back and read the first book and get to know more about Rose’s story.

Reen has returned to her childhood home after leaving abruptly eight years ago and during this story she is dealing with her conflicting emotions since returning to her childhood home and all of the feelings that she buried when she had left.

During this story she starts to build bridges with her sister and comes to understand more about an experience her sister had in the sea as a child which also leads to them asking more questions about their family beyond their parents.

I am now really excited to read the final instalment of the story which is due for release in April.

 

Book Blurb

The truth will always rise to the surface…

When Reen left The Burrow eight years ago, she had no intention of returning to her idyllic seaside hometown. Withdrawn and isolated from her family after the tragic death of her father, there was no reason to stay.

But when her sister, Rose, reaches out with news about their mother she has no choice but to go back.

Forced to confront her demons she runs into her childhood sweetheart, Brody, who still sends her heart into a flutter. But can Reen finally learn let go of the past and find the happiness she truly deserves?

Screen Shot 2019-02-10 at 19.19.00

Available to purchase on Amazon

 

About the Author

Coming from a small town in Western Mass, Katlyn Duncan always had her head in the clouds. Working as a scientist for most of her adult life, she enjoyed breaking down the hows and whys of life.

As a full-time author and freelance writer, she’s published eight novels in four years. If she’s not writing, she’s obsessing over many (many) television series’.

She currently resides in Southern New England with her family. Check out more about her writing and current TV addiction in her newsletter, and on Instagram and Twitter!

http://www.katlynduncan.com