Month: December 2019

Hello Bookish Friends,

Today I’m really excited to be taking part in the Book Tour of, The Weight Of A Soul
by, Elizabeth Tammi, which is being hosted by FFBC Tours

Publisher: Flux
Release Date: December 3rd 2019

Prize:

Win (1) of (5) finished copies of THE WEIGHT OF A SOUL by Elizabeth Tammi

(INT)

Starts: 3rd December 2019

Ends: 17th December 2019

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Many thanks to The Fantastic Flying Book Club for having me on this blog tour and Flux for sending me a copy to review!

“Never again, Lena promised, would she describe her home as cold. This world took the word and gave it a new meaning. She had no doubt that she really was in Helheim-the air felt like invisible ice. Solid and brutal.”

“A distant raven’s cry tore through the valley, shattering the fragile silence between them.” ⁣

“The next morning felt as strained and tense as those seconds before an arrow was loosened, or an axe hurled toward its target. “ ⁣

No God would have anticipated you, a human girl, would dare summon Ella or track between worlds, it’s preposterous. Utterly insane. Which is why I am so fond of you, and why are you are my most treasured asset it now.

⁣

Elizabeth Tammi’s captivating second book, The Weight of a Soul, is a dark and unique fascinating on Norse mythology. Tammi has created an enjoyable Viking Ya historical fiction blended with vibrant magical realism. This wonderful book grabs your attention with descriptive suspense and foreboding.

Magdalena, {Lena}, is the oldest daughter of Fredrik, the chief of the village and head of his clan. Lena is in training to be a healer and will take over as Chieftain along with Who ever she marries when her father dies. She is a devoted sister and their sisterly bond is the strength within Elizabeth Tammi novel, The Weight of a Soul.

Fressa. who is an accomplished swordsman, her ability has surpassed most of the young clansmen in the village of Midgard . Along with Fressa’s notable warrior abilities, she has also fallen in love with Amal, and the have planned to marry.

Amal, is a boy who came to live in the village from a foreign land, taken in and raised by a healer within the village. The three Lena, Fressa, and Amal have become a tight knit trio, having grown up together within their Viking village.

When Lena, and Fressa father, Chief Fredrik returns home from raiding, he brings back a sword, gifting it to his younger daughter Fressa.

This sets off a tragic series of events when Fressa is found dead under mysterious circumstances.

Lena driven to the point desperation and grief Lena with the help of Amal to call upon Hela, the goddess of death. Seeking to bring her younger sister home, Lena strikes a dark bargain – this being a soul for a soul. A soul that must be a weighty one and equal to Fressa’s a fighter who is as brave and gifted as she. Lena’s blinding love for her sister, takes her down a hollow and crooked path that their is no turning back, when Magdalena actions become chilling, villainess unsettling.

Throughout the storyline, Lena traverses two of the nine realms in Norse mythology, which is completely unheard of and is an intriguing twist in this engaging YA Fantasy. The nine realms are connected by a tree known as Yggdrasil.

Tammi’s vivid spellbinding world building and the books exploration of the blurred lines of innocence and corruption is strategic and notable. The Weight of a Soul, is steeped in mythos, a wonderful narrative mythical themed Coming of age book, that asks the moral question.

At what lengths would you go for a loved one?

I immensely enjoyed reading about the gods and goddesses, and are told the legends of Ragnarök complete world destruction, along with, Fimbulwinter, which is infinite winter.

If you enjoy and appreciate Norse mythology than you will be enthralled by the authors ability to create and blend her own creative narration within this stunning book.

On a side note Tammi says that this story has been an immense privilege and responsibility due to her own heritage. As most of her family is Scandinavian, she felt very fortunate to have learned about the history and mythology behind where her family originated.

꧁Thanks to the Fantastic Flying Book Club ꧂

Elizabeth Tammi was born in California and grew up in Florida, but is currently double-majoring in Creative Writing and Journalism as an undergraduate at Mercer University in Georgia. When she’s not writing, you can probably find Elizabeth at work for her university’s newspaper and literary magazine. Her other interests include traveling, caffeinated beverages, and mythology. You can find Elizabeth online on Tumblr at (annabethisterrified), Twitter at (@ElizabethTammi), Instagram at (elizabeth_tammi), and at elizabethtammi.com.

Tour Schedule

December 3rd

The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club – Welcome Post

December 4th

Bookish Looks – Guest Post

Adventures and Reading – Review

Foals, Fiction & Filigree – Review + Favourite Quotes

Gwendalyn’s Books – Review + Favourite Quotes

Books_AndPoetrii – Promotional Post

December 5th

L.M. Durand – Review

womanon – Review + Favourite Quotes

It Starts at Midnight – Review

Papertea & Bookflowers – Review

Sometimes Leelynn Reads  – Review + Favourite Quotes

December 6th

Moonlight Rendezvous  – Review + Favourite Quotes

A Dream Within A Dream – Review

The Reading Corner for All – Review + Playlist + Favourite Quotes

Donnie Darko Girl – Review

The Reading Life – Promotional Post

December 7th

Kait Plus Books – Interview

Place of Wild Strawberries  – Review + Favourite Quotes

YA/NA Book Divas – Review

Sincerely Karen Jo  – Review + Favourite Quotes

Confessions of a YA Reader – Promotional Post

December 8th

To All The Books I’ve Read Before – Guest Post

Shalini’s Books & Reviews – Review

PopTheButterfly Reads – Review

Evelynreads – Review

Story-eyed Reviews – Review

December 9th

Wishful Endings – Interview

EatingbetweenthelinesINC – Review

Port Jericho – Review

Clarissa Reads It All – Review + Favourite Quotes

Synopses by Sarge – Review

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Book Description:
Sometimes the last
person you save is yourself. Elena must take her city back from
terrorists. Hana must save her tribe from the wrath of a ruthless king.
They’re stronger together. The problem is they’re 4,000 years and 6,000
miles apart. Wounded during a terrorist attack, NYC police commando
Elena Labat wakes from her coma aboard a Phoenician boat on the
Mediterranean Sea to find a young girl lashed to the mast. The girl is
Hana, who has trekked across Bronze Age Lebanon with Danel to prevent a
king from destroying her tribe. Elena knows she must save Hana. And Hana
must escape the barbarians who abducted her before she can find Danel
and go home. Slipping in and out of unconsciousness, Elena teaches Hana
everything she can, protecting her from barbarians, a priestess, and a
king. But Elena’s family needs her, and she can’t stay in the past. Hana
will have to succeed on her own.

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

In Blue Girl on a Night Dream Sea, by Ginny Fite, is a richly woven multi layered novel about two women from very different times periods. The author has masterly written a compelling multi layered novel with stunning duel timelines.

Ginny Fite, delivers quite the clever, intriguing, and well-written story here that starts off with the first page and never lets up. I absolutely loved the way that this story unfolded in the authors creative creative writing, using dual character perspectives.

The plot line was perfectly paced, exciting and intelligent. There were some suspenseful moments, but more importantly, the author knows how to write interesting and fully developed characters which we care about. I cared about what happened to the lead protagonists in this book. I admired their strength and the way their minds worked. The strength in this book was not only the way in which the story was told via multiple POVs but in the strength of the characters themselves.

The author delivers quite the clever, intriguing, and well-written story here that starts off with the first page and never lets up. I absolutely loved the way that this story unfolded in the authors creative creative writing, using dual character perspectives. This was an enjoyable historical fiction woven meticulous with magical realism, that was captivating and a nonstop read for me.

Enter the Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
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Title: The Turncoat Letters
Series: Rebels of the Revolution
Author: Kelly Lyman
Publisher: Blue Tulip Publishing
Genre: Historical Romance

Goodreads

With their marriage made by necessity and being slowly built on trust, will they survive or will their relationship turn out to be as false as the role Nora plays for the British?

Amazon US | Amazon Worldwide

Amazon US | Amazon Worldwide

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

I received an early ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to HarperTeen and the Fantastic Flying Book Club

Seventeen year old, Lady Victoria Aston leads an unconventional life on her family’s country estate, and with her older sister well married, she enjoys a considerable amount of freedom. She is very a independent helping to manage the family’s English estate, studying animal husbandry.

She adores Jane Austen novels and rereads them meticulously, all the while making comparison of her life with that of characters with pages of those lovely books.

When her life takes a sudden turn she comes to understand that her life is not like a storybook novel. Her sister unexpectedly arrives home, distraught and hurt, fleeing an abusive husband. It becomes clear that Victoria, {Vicky} must take on the the burden of saving family’s reputation before the scandal breaks over her sisters separation from her husband public knowledge. Along with the fact that if her father should pass before her sisters Althea marriage is legally dissolved, the family’s estate would fall into the hands of Althea cruel handof her brother in law Viscount Dain.

Lady Victoria needs to find a husband and marry quickly, before the end of the season. If that isn’t enough a series of unexplained suspicious attack, along with the return Tom Sherborne, her old friend and neighbor returned from years in exile after succeeding to his father’s title, keeps the reader fully engaged in marvelous coming of age tale.

Georgian England, comes to life and is richly drawn out. Wonderful dialogue and the plot line is perfectly paced creating an enjoyable historical fiction.

Cohen adds an historical note chapter at the end of the book explaining the research she did to write the novel and the various Jane Austen quotes.

Dangerous Alliance was paced perfectly and the intriguing well developed characters are stunningly fleshed out. Creative multiple POV’s along with intriguing element of adventure and mystery keep me fully immersed all the through to the end.

Vicky raised her chin. She would handle this situation as Elizabeth Bennet would. After Mr. Wickham had run off to London with Elizabeth’s sister Lydia, the couple returned to Longbourn.Elizabeth had been polite to Wickham but had also made it clear she knew what kind of scoundrel he was.

Vicky could do the same to Dain. As she stretched to her full height, she realized Mr. Carmichael’s blackish-brown gaze centered on her. She could not guess his thoughts, but unfortunately, there would be no further help from that quarter. Mr. Carmichael had no claim on her that could keep her from a family member.

Mr. Carmichael locked eyes with her just as Dain pulled her arm into the crook of his. Vicky’s lips tightened into a line. Blasted, beastly brother-in-law . . .

Dain nodded to Carmichael and led her away.

She glanced back at Mr. Carmichael. He watched her, a small crease forming between his brows. Vicky searched for her mother once again, but she had disappeared.

“Well, my dear, dear sister,” said Dain. “You look stunning this evening. A new gown, I take it?” His amber eyes traveled up and down her body.

Vicky’s stomach lurched. “You swine,” she spat. “How dare you look at me in such a fashion?” So much for being polite.

“Why, Lady Victoria, such language,” he mocked.

She narrowed her eyes. “But then, I suppose I’ve answered my own question,” she continued. “Swine are too bestial to have a conscience. Indeed, they enjoy wallowing in the mud.” Elizabeth Bennet’s subtlety had deserted her, but blast it. Dain deserved to know what he was!

He put his free hand on her arm and squeezed. The motion would look like fraternal devotion to any onlooker, but it was becoming more and more painful by the second.

Vicky gasped.

He chuckled deep in his throat.

How had he hidden his cruelty all these years? She tried to move away, but his grip tightened. She suppressed her grimace.

She spoke through clenched teeth. “Take your hand off me.”

“Or what, dear sister? What can you possibly do?” He smiled again.

Bile rose in her throat. So this was the monster Thea had lived with for two years. But his question remained: What could she do? What if he took her out of the ballroom? Who knew what he might do to her if they were beyond the gaze of prying eyes?

Vicky’s heart drummed in her chest. Maybe she could knock him in the face with her reticule, or if worse came to worse, somewhere more painful, but she couldn’t do that in the ballroom without appearing mad. If she waited until he took her somewhere private, there was no guarantee she’d be able to break free of him.

Suddenly, an answer came to her. She spoke loudly so the guests nearby would overhear. “Oh, Lord Dain, the ribbon on my slipper has snapped. Pray excuse me. I am certain someone in the retiring room will be able to assist me.”

He tutted with false concern, then gestured to the side of the ballroom. “There is a chair. I shall fix it for you.”

She raised her voice again. “No, no. I’d much rather retire for a moment.” If she said much more, the entire ballroom would think she needed the privy.

He pulled her to the edge of the ballroom. “My dear sister, I could not possibly part with your company.” His hand gripped her arm like a vise.

Vicky narrowed her eyes. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of thinking he could do this to her. “Take your hand off me, or I swear to scream the truth to the entire ballroom,” she whispered.

“What truth would that be?” he drawled.

“That you’ve been beating my sister to within an inch of her life and you’re taking me outside to do the same to me.”

He laughed. “I’m afraid, dear sister, no one would believe you.” His lips curved into a sneer.

His repeated use of “sister” made her itch to slap him. “Perhaps not now. Not yet.”

He gripped her arm even tighter and angled his body to face her. “Just what does that mean?”

Her stomach dropped. She’d said too much. Althea had only been in London a week and the lawyers couldn’t start the proceedings for her legal separation yet. Her mind raced for an answer to distract Dain. “That you will reveal your own character. Just as you have tonight.” She glared at him, refusing to blink.

His lips twisted in a snarl. “Do not try my patience,” he said, anger infused into every syllable.

Before she could say another word, Dain abruptly released her arm and stepped back.

“Lady Victoria. How lovely to see you again.”

Vicky’s throat went dry. She turned and saw that, to her simultaneous joy and dismay, Tom stood beside her.

Tom smiled and took Vicky’s hand.

She could hardly believe it. He’d sought her out amongst the hordes of people here? She blinked several times, trying to guess his reasoning. A short stillness ensued until Vicky realized she’d left her hand in his grip a hair longer than was proper. She pulled her hand back and cast her eyes down, hoping her heated cheeks weren’t noticeable.

“L-Lord Halworth, what a surprise.” 

Jennieke Cohen (JEN-ih-kah CO-en) is used to people mispronouncing her name and tries to spare her fictional characters the same problem. Jennieke writes historical fiction for young adults inspired by real people and events because life is often stranger than fiction. She studied English history at Cambridge University and has a master’s degree in professional writing from the University of Southern California. Jennieke loves exploring new locales but always returns home to Northern California where the summers are hot, the winters are mild, and life is casual.