February 24, 2021 – Gwendalyn’s Books

Hello Booklovers I have a very special book today

Isoldesse by Kimberly Grymes

Review + An Amazing Giveaway

@TBRBeyondTours @KimberlyGrymes

#isoldesse #TBRBeyondTours #kimberlygrymes

Isoldesse by Kimberly Grymes

Genre: Young Adult Sci-fi Fantasy

Publishing Date: March 2, 2021

ISOLDESSE – Synopsis from Goodreads

Friendships are tested, new alliances are made, and the truth of one woman’s actions from over a millennia ago are revealed.

Kenna and Meegan are college students dealing with upcoming finals, needy parents, boy drama, and what to do with their lives after they graduate in a few weeks. What they weren’t expecting was for Kenna to receive a powerful crystal necklace that ultimately changes their plans for a relaxing summer.

Strange things begin to happen to Kenna, like being the only one who can see and talk to the mysterious old woman with a golden aura. Or how in her dreams, a man with vibrant orange eyes keeps appearing who may or may not be real. Though, not all of Kenna’s mysterious encounters are pleasant as she’s haunted by massive beings carrying long swords and wearing armor covered in black scales.

Besides solving the mystery of where the crystal necklace came from, Kenna, Meegan, and their friends are taken to another world for a routine evolutionary assessment. The assessment gets sabotaged and causes more chaos for Kenna and her friends, especially for Meegan who is forced to open up and reveal her true identity and the magic she hides.

There’s one name that Kenna, Meegan, the Sendarians, and the monsters who’ve been hunting Meegan and her family for over a century all have in common…

Giveaway (US Only):

Two readers will win a giveaway package of Isoldesse. This giveaway starts on February 22nd and ends on March 1st

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fc15a59522/?

Giveaway package includes:

– One signed hardcover

– two desktop wallpaper images

– two customized bookmarks

– A full set of character prints (13 character prints total)

– A full set of character pins (13 pins)

– One Isoldesse title pin

– One Isoldesse title magnet (it’s a pin but with a magnetic backing)

– Isoldesse inspired bookmarks from Mirkwood Scribes, an ETSY shop (collaboration)

– One Isoldesse bookmark (that I created and had printed)

– One Isoldesse 5×7 print image

– One “bookish” 5×7 print image

– One Isoldesse inspired keychain

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.

This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.

Isoldesse by Kimberly Grymes, is an urban sci-FYI with fantasy elements.

The storyline follows a group of college friends, with end of college drawing to a close. Secrets are plentiful, and certain events catapult the group into a dynamic adventure. An engaging storytold in alternating perspectives from a vast cast of characters. I felt drawn to Kenna and Meegan, enjoying their narration as the storyline unfolded. As they are thrown into a battle of alien races along with their friends.

Innovative world building and magic system makes this compulsively readable.

When Kimberly Grymes is not writing, reading, or blogging, she’s usually hanging out with her husband and kids, baking treats, or keeping busy with crafts. As much as she enjoys reading books, she loves watching movies and TV, and is always on the lookout for the next great sci-fi or fantasy show to watch. Her favorite part of the day is TV time in the evening with her husband and two min-pins, Jubilee and Cori. She currently lives in Kansas, where her allergies are much better than they were in Connecticut.

Kimberly has a small book blog called the Plum Report in which she reads and reviews science-fiction, fantasy, paranormal, and or dystopian books. She also enjoys taking bookstagram pictures and sharing them with the book community on Instagram.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

February 22nd
The Booksnom – Review & Mood Board
Fantastically Bookish – Review & Favourite Quotes
Liz Delton – Top 5 Reasons to Read Isoldesse & Promo

February 23rd
Aesthetic Nerd – Review & Creative Post (Bookish DIYs)
Blog it with Aanya – Review & Mood Board
Bookishfairytail – Review & Favourite Quotes
ThoranaReads – Review & Favourite Quotes

February 24th
Twirling Book Princess – Promo Post
Gwendalyn’s Books – Review
The Writer’s Alley – Review, Playlist & Favourite Quotes
Balancing Books and Beauties – Review & 15 Reactions While Reading Isoldesse

February 25th
Nine Bookish Lives – Review
The Book View – Mood Board
Phannie the ginger bookworm – Review, Playlist & Favourite Quotes
The Broke Book Blog – Review, Playlist & Favourite Quotes

February 26th
Wishful Endings – Interview & Promo Post
Portals Into Books – Review & Mood Board
The House December Built – Review & Top 5 Reasons to Read Isoldesse
Starlight Reads – Promo Post

February 27th
Stuck in the Stacks – Interview & Review
Stuck in Fiction – Promo
TLC Book Nook – Review & Favourite Quotes
Velarisreads – Review
Reading Stewardess – Review & Mood Board

February 28th
AndOnSheReads – Interview & Review
The Book Dutchesses – Review & Favourite Quotes
The Fangirling Editor – Promo
Musing of Souls – Review

February 22nd
www.instagramm.com/stuck.in.the.stacks/ – Blogger’s Choice
the_booksnom – Blogger’s Choice
fantasticallybookish – Blogger’s Choice
lizdeltonwrites – Blogger’s Choice

February 23rd
fangirlpixiebooks – Promo
quirky_scorpio11 – Blogger’s Choice
bookishfairytail – Blogger’s Choice
thoranareads – Blogger’s Choice

February 24th
808bookdr – Review & Favourite Quotes
gwendalyn_books_ – Blogger’s Choice
jrundy85 – Blogger’s Choice
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February 25th
the_ya_assassin – Review
ninebookishlives – Blogger’s Choice
thebookviewblog – Blogger’s Choice
thebrokebookblog – Blogger’s Choice

February 26th
tbrandbeyond – Promo
wishfulendings – Blogger’s Choice
idreaminbooks – Blogger’s Choice
starlight.reads – Blogger’s Choice

February 27th
jypsylynn – Review
tlcbooknook – Blogger’s Choice
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February 28th
apartofyourbookworld – Review
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thebookdutchesses – Blogger’s Choice
writingismysuperpower – Blogger’s Choice

Hello Historical Suspense Readers, I have a treat for you today!

Welcome to my stop on The London Monster by Donna Scott! Hosted by HFVBT BlogTours

The London Monster by Donna Scott

Publication Date: November 21, 2020

Paperback & eBook; 322 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

In 1788, exactly one hundred years before Jack the Ripper terrorizes the people of London, a sexual miscreant known as the London Monster roams the streets in search of his next victim…

Thomas Hayes, having lost his mother in a vicious street assault, becomes an underground pugilist on a mission to rid the streets of violent criminals. But his vigilante actions lead to him being mistaken for the most terrifying criminal of all.

Assistance arrives in the form of Sophie Carlisle, a young journalist with dreams of covering a big story, though she is forced to masquerade as a man to do it. Trapped in an engagement to a man she doesn’t love, Sophie yearns to break free to tell stories that matter about London’s darker side—gaming, prostitution, violence—and realizes Tom could be the one to help. Together, they come up with a plan.

Straddling the line between his need for vengeance and the need to hide his true identity as a politician’s son becomes increasingly difficult as Tom is pressured to win more fights. The more he wins, the more notoriety he receives, and the greater the chance his identity may be exposed—a revelation that could jeopardize his father’s political aspirations and destroy his family’s reputation.

Sophie is also in danger as hysteria spreads and the attacks increase in severity and frequency. No one knows who to trust, and no one is safe—Tom included, yet he refuses to end the hunt.

Little does he realize, the monster is also hunting him.

Available on Amazon

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.

The London Monster by Donna Scott, Is Perfection!

Donna Scott’s latest novel is a must read for those who enjoy phenomenal suspense historical fiction.

Set in England as we are leaving behind the Georgian Period, and rushing into the Regency Era.

There is a Monstrous villain is loose in London, exactly one hundred years before the notorious Jake the Ripper. Sophie Carlisle is a bold young lady, who struggles under the bonds that have been placed upon her by her social standing, and what is expected of women during this time period. It would seem her life is all planned out for her, soon to be married. She is engaged to Cuthbert, but is not in love with him.

Throwing caution, and her reputation, out the window. She is driven to be known as an accomplished journalist. Seeking information about the latest developments of the the vile man who is stalking the beautiful woman of London. Going under cover she befriends a girl Maeve from Parker’s Place bawdy house.

Thomas Hayes, was at the wrong place and the time. He encounter the dangerous individual who is prying on woman. Mistaken for the Illustrious criminal, he finds himself at the end of noose. Fate would seem to be un his side when a miraculous event occurs. His actions are a sore spot for his family and he is constantly reminded that his appearance within society should be beyond reproach.

Then we have the villain himself, his incredible thoughts and feelings are cleverly journaled within the books chapters. The London Monster’s diabolical actions are laid open for the reader to be expertly enticed into his rationalization of his crimes.

He prides himself on his cleverness to elude those seeking to capture him.

Once again Donna Scott mastered the art of brilliant narration. This one of my most favourite books in this genre.

This is one of those books that you just have to read to know what feeling I’m getting at. It sucks you in and keeps you hungry for more until you reach the mind-blowing ending. It’s a unique and unforgettable story told through a brilliant multi narrative.

The author delivers an intriguing, engaging, complex and well-written multi-layered story here with absolutely wonderful character development, a suspenseful mystery, and a thoughtful and emotional storyline.

I was absorbed deep within these characters lives, questioning their situations and decisions. I couldn’t figure out who to believe – my thoughts flip flopped from one chapter to the next. The narrative was brilliantly executed – I loved the way the plot unfolded. I was completely invested in the storyline. I was was invested in the love triangle and I thought the London Monster’s diary entries are fascinating.

I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy!

Donna Scott is an award-winning author of 17th and 18th century historical fiction. Before embarking on a writing career, she spent her time in the world of academia. She earned her BA in English from the University of Miami and her MS and EdD (ABD) from Florida International University. She has two sons and lives in sunny South Florida with her husband. Her first novel, Shame the Devil, received the first place Chaucer Award for historical fiction and a Best Book designation from Chanticleer International Book Reviews. Her newest novel, The London Monster, was released in November 2020. To learn about new releases and special offers, please sign up for Donna’s newsletter.