Tag: booknerd

Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane by JoAnn Ross

Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, Jolene Wells is forever indebted to the mother who encouraged her to fly—all the way to sunny LA and a world away from Honeymoon Harbor. Although Jolene vowed never to look back, returning home isn’t even a question when her mom faces a cancer scare. Which means running into Aiden Mannion all over town, the first boy she ever loved—and lost—and whom she can barely look in the eye.

Aiden’s black-sheep reputation may have diminished when he joined the marines, but everything he’s endured since has left him haunted. Back in Honeymoon Harbor to heal, he’s talked into the interim role of police chief, and the irony isn’t lost on the locals, least of all Aiden. But seeing Jolene after all these years is the unexpected breath of fresh air he’s been missing. He’s never forgotten her through all his tours, but he’s not sure anymore that he’s the man she deserves.

Despite the secret they left between them all those years ago, snow is starting to fall on their picturesque little town, making anything seem possible…maybe even a second chance at first love.

***Synopsis copied from Amazon.ca***

3.5 Stars out of 5

At first I had such a hard time keeping up on what was happening and who was who in the story. So many characters introduced all at once and a couple large character backgrounds that threw me off.

I am so happy I stuck through the first chunk. The story started to grow on me and the characters became so sweet and heart warming.

It seems some aspects of the story are going in a negative route, until a twist on the story giving you all the happy feels.

Also, no one can say they won’t fall in love!… this was shown so well with Jolene. She never thought the relationship or family life was in her future. Until her past love Aiden crossed her path again.

Cute, fuzzy read!

Thank you to HQN for sending this cozy read my way!

Publisher: HQN Books

Release Date: October 30, 2018

And of course thank you all for reading!

Your Fellow Book Worm

– Nichole

Snowfall On Lighthouse Lane
https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

The Current by Tim Johnston + Giveaway

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Audrey Sutter’s life was stretched thin after her good friend and her were pulled from the icy grips of Black Root River.

Only unlike Audrey, her friend was not so lucky to come out alive.

Finding out what happened was no accident has the whole town buzzing with memories. Just ten years earlier another young women had lost her life in that same river.

Knowing that her killer is still loose, living among them. Audrey feels strongly connected to this young girl and becomes obsessed on finding out what truly happened all those years ago. While also wanting to know the truth to her own story.

4.5 Stars out of 5

Strictly my individual opinion.

I found The Current had some strong pros to it but also some very, very minor cons to it. Which lead to my 4.5 star rate out of 5. Which is still a top-notch rating in my eyes and should not discourage anyone from reading this novel! As I still highly recommend this read!

I am going to do my absolute best to share this with no spoilers! As I am not a fan of spoilers. This could leave parts of my review very vague as this is a hard story to explain while not giving anything away.

Pros first!

Tim Johnston’s writing is incredible. Pulling you into the story.

The Current is fast, exciting, thrilling. Keeps you on the edge of your seat want to know more and more. One of those hard to put down reads!

A handful of characters will steal your heart and you will find yourself rooting for them through the whole story. Perhaps even finding yourself defending them in situations they find themselves in. Which again leaves you wanting more just on those characters alone.

I also adore the relationships that exist in this book. Some are so heart warming and others were just starting and growing on you by the end of the book.

Now for the MINOR cons. And I can’t stress enough on the minor!

The Current starting right off with such an extreme fast pace, jumping from character to character and at times with very little information on the person or detail of the setting. This could become confusing at times. I found myself having to go back and re-read sections to be sure I didn’t miss anything crucial, or that I was understanding everything correctly. Each character was critical to the story and had huge meaning as it set the story up for what you would find out down the road.

I also found that some characters stories were lost and not completed by the end of the book. Nor did I feel that Audrey’s personal situation was completely fulfilled. But now that being said! To my knowledge this is a stand-alone read. Perhaps though it was being set up in a way that more could be added on in the future. I mean I could only hope for that as closing the book up had my brain going a million miles a minute, craving more.

As mentioned above, I do highly recommend this read. I feel any book lover that shows even a slight interest in the synopsis of this novel needs to run out and pick it up on release day!

Be sure to have your game face on when you jump in, as you will find yourself consumed and intertwined with the story!

 Now for the GIVEAWAY:

Thomas Allen & Son has been so gracious to host a giveaway for this new release. Enter to win a hardback copy of The Current.

Giveaway Details:

* Canada Only (excl. Quebec—full rules found in the T&C on Rafflecopter)

* Giveaway begins on January 21st and ends on February 4th at 11:59 pm EST

* Winner will be chosen randomly

Click the rafflecopter link under photo below to enter! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway </scrip

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Check out the rest of the blog tour, they are all so incredible:

Jan. 21 – Literary Treats
Jan. 22 – Mickey Reads
Jan. 23 – Fab Book Reviews
Jan. 24 – nichi.i_readpastmybedtime
Jan. 25 – Novelties

 

Thank you so incredibly much to Thomas Allen & Son for sending this gripping read my way, and for hosting such a generous giveaway. 

Publisher: Algonquin Books

Release Date: January 22, 2019

And of course thank you all for reading!

Your Fellow Book Worm

– Nichole

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Photo from my Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

The Frame Up by Meghan Scott Molin

“Panel by panel, Crime by crime.”

MG Martin is the complete dream image of all female nerds… right down to the rocking purple hair.

MG lives that perfect geeky life, with the perfect geeky friends. She even works as a writer for the comic book company she lived for growing up.

One day in the highly active city of Los Angeles someone recreates a crime scene from MG’s most adored comic book, leaving the well-known calling card of a golden arrow from her favourite comic hero.

MG soon becomes the LAPD’s secret weapon to helping them solve the case.

Suave detective Kildaire and MG make the perfect team.

Although MG doesn’t always follow the rules and may take matters into her own hands. Getting herself into a heap of trouble.

“By day she writes comic books. By night, she lives them.”

“You may proceed. To the station, Alfred.”

5 out of 5 stars

Heck YES!

The Frame Up was the most exciting, colorful, vibrant read.

Starting my 2019 with a wham!

MG is the coolest nerdy rebel EVER!  She is extremely relatable in every way possible. Such a strong personality, knows exactly who she is, but also doesn’t know exactly where she wants to go in life. She truly is a character everyone needs in their lives… geek or not.

And detective Kildaire, is such a dream.  He knows what he wants and he is going to make sure he gets exactly that. All while saving the world!….. But also…who doesn’t love a man in costume, or shall I say uniform.

These two make the most terrific team.

The Frame Up  needs to be on everyone shelves. Let’s be honest, there is a little nerd in all of us, and Meghan’s fantastic writing will prove just that!

“To the police car!”

Thank you so incredibly much to Thomas Allen Ltd. for sending this unbelievable read my way.

Publisher: 47 North

Release Date: December 1, 2018

And of course thank you all for reading!

Your Fellow Atomic Book Worm

– Nichole

 

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Photo from my Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

 

 

 

Daughters Of The Lake by Wendy Webb

“The clues to a century-old murder lie in one woman’s dreams.”

Kate Granger’s marriage has fallen apart.

In desperate need to get away and piece herself back together, she fleas to her parents home on Lake Superior.

Only things don’t get easier for Kate while she’s back home.

Shortly after she gets settled in, a body of a murdered women washes up into the shallows and she’s not alone. Wrapped up in her vintage gown is a baby, just as calm and at peace as her mother.

No one can identify this women and her child. Expect for Kate, to scared to tell anyone. But she has seen her before!… In her dreams…

“The ghosts of the past come calling in a spellbinding heart-stopper from the “Queen of Northern Gothic.”

5 out of 5 stars

Wow! What a way to end my 2018!

Honestly that’s all I feel I need to say! I think saying that speaks for itself. But the passion I now have for this book…. I won’t be able to stop talking about it for years to come.

Daughters Of The Lake was incredible and impossible to put down. Truly one of a kind.

I feel embarrassed to admit I have never read anything by Wendy Webb before, but she has now gained a new dedicated fan. Her writing is absolutely brilliant and needs to be on everyone’s shelves.

Throughout reading Daughters Of The Lake I felt as if it was based on a true story. It is just way to descriptive not to feel real. This all made sense while reading the acknowledgements. Wendy mentions how often people ask if her books are based on real life people. She goes on to say that the answer is no, not entirely. She uses snippets of conversations or a description here and there. But that at times she can identify one of her characters as being exactly like someone she knows.

I can sense Wendy’s warmth and passion for writing, truly stunning.

Highly recommend. If you are a book lover this is definitely one to add to your list to pick up this year.

Thank you so incredibly much to Thomas Allen Ltd. for sending this fascinating read my way.

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Release Date: November 1, 2018

And of course thank you all for reading!

Your Fellow Book Worm

– Nichole

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Picture from my Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

A Tall, Dark Cowboy Christmas by Maisey Yates

“It’s Christmas in Gold Valley, and this wounded widower is about to get another shot at love…”

Grant Dodge has not yet found any women who lives up to his late wife. Always feeling as i

f any women he meets pities him and his past. He had excused the idea of love in his life anytime soon.

McKenna is lonely, growing up, not having a family of her own. But McKenna has found her birth father after all this time and has come to Gold Valley to confront him face to face.

Any chance these two were destined to meet? Will Grant see the sparks fly again? And will McKenna find a new, more perfect family to be apart of?

 

 

4 out of 5 stars

Such an adorable holiday story.

Grant seems so lost, so cold and completely shut off. But McKenna’s spicy, stubborn, direct personality really grabs hold of Grant and shows his true colors. It certainly helps that McKenna has no idea of Grant’s past. Helping them build a truly memorable connection.

One to add to the list! Grab hold of it!… read it now or hold on to it for next years holiday season!

Thank you to HQN books for sending this heart warming read my way.

And of course thank you all for reading!

Your Fellow Book Worm

– Nichole

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Photo from my Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

 

 

And Then You Were Gone by R.J. Jacobs

Advanced Readers Copy 

“How can you save someone else if you can’t save yourself…”

Emily Firestone finally has a handle on her future. Struggling for years with her bipolar disorder, she is now in control and dominating every aspect of her life. A great job, a place to call her own, and an incredible boyfriend, Paolo.

When Paolo wants to whisk Emily away on a weekend sailing trip. The perfect get away in his eyes. Just the two of them… on the water. Emily accepts, who could resist this marvellous mini vacation.

The weekend starts off perfect. Until the next morning when Emily wakes all alone. Paolo is nowhere to be found. Emily doesn’t understand, he is an amazing swimmer. There is no way he could have drown.

Once Emily’s feet are back on dry land her desperate search for Paolo is well underway.

Days pass and he is still missing. Emily finds herself starting to slip back into her old ways. Depression slowly taking its tight grip all over again.

Until some evidence comes to light that Paolo may not have drown but murdered.

Now Emily is not only fighting her own mania but trying to clear her name, as she is the number one suspect in the disappearance of her boyfriend.

What will happen next? Will Emily lose all she has worked so hard for?

***

4 out of 5 stars

And Then You Were Gone is a heart pounding, teeth clenching, psychological thriller.

With so many thrilling twists and turns you can’t possibly have an idea what is going to happen next. It will have you gripping to the edge of your seat.

R.J. Jacobs is a psychologist in clinical practise. He also performs PTSD evaluations for veterans. Have you ever heard the term “Write what you know?” That is exactly what he has done, and it couldn’t be more brilliant.

If you are a thriller lover this novel is for you.

Absolutely sensational.

“Being bipolar just means I get a lot done.”

***

Thank you so incredibly much to HarperCollins Canada for sending this fascinating read my way.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Release Date: March 12, 2019

 

Photo taken from my Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lone Star Christmas by Delores Fossen

Thank you to Harlequin Publicity Team for sending Lone Star Christmas my way.

Published September 25th 2018 by HQN Books

***

“A Family Crisis Brings Him Home… Just In Time For Christmas”

Callen Laramie has avoided his hometown, Coldwater, Texas, like the plague. Which hasn’t been all that hard for him up until now.

Although being so lucky to grow up in a warm, loving foster home and having a beautiful family. Long ago Cattleman Callen escaped Coldwater, on the search for bigger, better things and never looked back.

As hard as it may have been, leaving one special person.

Callen receives a Christmas wedding invitation to Buck, his foster-father and Rosie’s wedding. With all intentions not to go, Callen soon finds out there is a family secret and  knowing he may be re-united with his childhood crush, Shelby, who has always been off-limits, changes his mind rapidly.

Lone Star Christmas
Photo from my Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nichi.i_readpastmybedtime/

4 out of 5 Stars

Such a warm, cozy and dare I say STEAMY Christmas read.

Callen is a stubborn, strong-headed man. Who slowly releases into a considerate, passionate, devoted, sulty, gentleman. Leaving Shelby weak in the knees.

Shelby has forever been Callen’s delicacy, but always seen as forbidden. Now Shelby is all grown up and makes her own choices and Callen is exactly what she craves.

Lone Star Christmas provides, all the romantic, warm fuzzy feels and lets not forget ALL the drama, in the best way possible. Along with the blooming fling between Callen and Shelby there are amazing family and friend relationships. You will love each and every character in such a different way.

With each twist and turn, you will want to devour more and more.

A Perfect Christmas Romance.

Thank you for reading!

Your fellow book nerd

-Nichole

 

The Water Is Wide and The Canary’s Song by Natalie Banks

The Water Is Wide:

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Sarah is slowly piecing herself back together, after the tragic loss of her husband who drown 14 years earlier.

Thomas was and still is the love of her life, making this the hardest thing she has ever had to do. Just as she starts to get the hang of things and is slowly feeling more comfortable in her skin. Sarah has the shock of a lifetime when she sees a man who is a spitting image of her husband, just having aged 14 years.

Only to learn this man is not her late husband Thomas, but a man named Collin.

Collin is new to the area and Sarah cant help but feel drawn to him. Feelings start to flourish between them and a steamy relationship begins. But Sarah cant help but wonder if her feelings for this man are legitimate, or is it just how much Collin reminds her of Thomas and what she had in the past.

***

4.5 out of 5 stars

This read is full of every emotion you could think possible. You watch this immense amount of strength grow within Sarah as she has to put her life back together after losing Thomas. Then jumping to her reflecting any negativity she receives from friends and family who don’t approve of this new relationship with Collin. All while she fights her own thoughts and questions as to how this man can look so much like her husband and is this relationship genuine, or just a form of comfort for her.

An-all-out phenomenal read. This book will not disappoint. It will have you yearning for more.

The Canary’s Song:

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The tragic loss of her son has completely destroyed Juliette. Mourning him is slowly taking over everything she touches. It has caused too much stress on her marriage and now she can see Liam slowly slipping out from her finger tips.

In a desperate attempt to reconnect, and keep her family together, especially for her daughter’s sake. Juliette plans a romantic get away at a secluded cabin in the mountains.

Liam is hesitant to go, in his mind he has already come to a finalized decision that he is leaving Juliette and nothing can change that. But with a heavy heart and for her sake he agrees.

The weekend starts off rocky, but slowly feelings are rekindled. You can feel the warmth of their old spark lingering. When something awful and unexpected happens and the journey for both Juliette and Liam to get home safe and sound to their daughter brings them even closer.

***

5 out of 5 stars

I had the privileged of being part of an early readers group for The Canary’s Song. I couldn’t be more honoured.

This book will forever be near and dear to my heart. The connection between Juliette and Liam is so stunning. To see these characters go through such torture with losing their son, shattering their marriage. Yet such a simple gesture being made and everything starts to make sense again. Only for them to be tested again in a life and death situation. Juliette and Liam can only become the strongest, most powerful team.

This read was truly breath-taking. A must read!

***

Natalie Banks also has a novel called The Dark Room. A psychological thriller that I can’t wait to get my hands on.

-Nichole

Bookish Merchandise

Bookish merchandise has been around forever.

This book nerd just learnt this in the last couple years…

Clearly I was living under a rock. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my second in 2016, all rollie pollie, sitting and reading a book. That I thought to myself, “there has to be some type of book subscription box, right?” I mean that would be heaven.

Right then I jumped onto the internet and began my search. When I came across Owlcrate and Novel Editions.

Of course I had to subscribe (to both). Which lead me straight into the amazing book community that I am apart of today and will NEVER look back!

This is where I learnt about the copious amounts of bookish merchandise there is. Over and above what I would admire while shopping around my book store of choice, Chapters.

I was receiving so many amazing items in my book boxes. Then I also had this amazing idea thinking I was creative enough to start a Bookstagram account for a hobby while on maternity leave. Where I started meeting all the amazing home based business as well, that pride themselves in their talents to create all sort of bookish items.

I have fallen in love! there is something for every book lover out there. Some of us love our bookish candles, some our bookish pins… others love gorgeous bookmarks or coffees and teas. I myself love…. well…. EVERYTHING!. If only I had millions lying around to buy it all.

Although I would have to say one of my favorite items is bookish jewelry. Not only can I feature it in my Bookstagram photos (… Yes I am OBSESSED with Bookstagram now… it is no longer a hobby. It has become a full-time job in itself…in the best way possible) but I can wear it around showing it off to the whole world. Saying “LOOK AT ME!… Yes that’s right, I am a book NERD!”

One particular shop I am obsessed with is The Glass Arcade on Bookstagram. Sarah has the cutest ETSY shop full of bookish merch. Her pendants are near and dear to my heart. I always receive so many compliments while wearing them or featuring them in my photos. On top of it all Sarah herself is one of the sweetest most genuine people you will ever meet. (I will be sure to link her Instagram page below if you are interested in checking her page out of course!).

So to all my bibliophile friends out there… what are your favorite bookish merch items out there? Please share away with me in comments. Give me more items and companies to obsess over!

Thanks for reading lovelies!

-Nichole

The Glass Arcade: https://www.instagram.com/theglassarcade/

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***Photo from my Bookstagram account. Check it out nichi.i_readpastmybedtime***