Review: Deadly Little Scandals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title: Deadly Little Scandals
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Series: Book Two in the Debutantes Series
Published By: Freeform (November 5, 2019)
Genre: YA Contemporary/Mystery
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
My Rating: 4 Stars


Book Description:
"Think of the White Gloves like the Junior League-by way of Skull and Bones?"

Reluctant debutante Sawyer Taft joined Southern high society for one reason and one reason alone: to identify and locate her biological father. But the answers Sawyer found during her debutante year only left her with more questions and one potentially life-ruining secret. When her cousin Lily ropes her into pledging a mysterious, elite, and all-female secret society called the White Gloves, Sawyer soon discovers that someone in the group's ranks may have the answers she's looking for. Things are looking up... until Sawyer and the White Gloves make a disturbing discover near the family's summer home--and uncover a twisted secret, decades in the making.


No one is quite who they seem to be.

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I adore pretty much all of Jennifer Lynn Barnes stories and when Deadly Little Secrets came out last year I was completely in love with it and couldn't wait to get my hands on Deadly Little Scandals.

It completely lived up to all of my expectations. With twists and turns galore and so many things that I simply just did not see coming, it kept me on my toes and completely, once again, immersed in the world of debutantes, the filthy rich, scandals, secrets, and where almost anything goes with those that know people in high places and have the money to back it up, this truly was an entertaining read that kept me engaged and eagerly turning the pages.

I will miss this world of lies, deceit and but most of all, families taking care of their own just as much as I will the characters, both good and bad, that have grown on me over the course of these books. 

Such a fun wild escape that almost everyone can get lost in and one that will stick with you long after the scandals are over. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Blog Tour Review: The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street by Karen White

Title: The Christmas Spirits on Tradd Street

Author: Karen White

Series: Book Six in the Tradd Street Series

Published By: Berkley Books (October 22, 2019)

Genre: Paranormal Mystery

Source: ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Book Description:

Quirky, doughnut-loving, schedule-obsessed Melanie Trenholm has everything she ever wanted. Living in her beloved Charleston home with her soulmate, Jack, and their adorable twin toddlers, she can finally settle down. She’s even come to terms with the fact that she can communicate with the dead. So when Christmas approaches, Melanie feels nothing but joy… at least until an excavation of the cistern in her home’s garden unearths some Colonial-era artifacts and the unhappy ghosts attached to them. And these specters definitely don’t have the holiday spirit.

If that wasn’t enough, a past adversary is convinced there is a long-lost Revolutionary War treasure buried somewhere on Melanie’s property. Brought over by French military officer Marquis de Lafayette himself to fund the Revolutionary War effort, these riches are fit for a king. There have been whispers throughout history that many have fought—and died—to possess it. And now, someone prepared to do the same is at Melanie’s doorstep, someone willing to threaten everything she holds dear to get what they want.

*Amazon*B&N*

About the Author:

With more than 1.8 million books in print in eight different languages, Karen White is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 23 novels, including the popular Charleston-set Tradd Street mystery series.

Raised in a house full of brothers, Karen’s love of books and strong female characters first began in the third grade when the local librarian issued her a library card and placed The Secret of the Old Clock, a Nancy Drew Mystery, in her hands.

Karen’s roots run deep in the South where many of her novels are set. Her intricate plot lines and compelling characters charm and captivate readers with just the right mix of family drama, mystery, intrigue and romance.

Not entirely convinced she wanted to be a writer, Karen first pursued a career in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, in a weak moment, she wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. Her books—referred to as “grit lit” (Southern Women’s Fiction)—have since been nominated for numerous national contests including the SIBA (Southeastern Booksellers Alliance) Fiction Book of the Year.

Karen’s latest novel, Dreams of Falling, was published in June, 2018 by Berkley Publishing, a division of Penguin Random House Publishing Group.

When not writing, Karen spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. Karen and her husband have two grown children and currently live near Atlanta, Georgia with two spoiled Havanese dogs.

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After reading my first Tradd Street series book, I was not only hooked on Karen White's writing but on the series itself and the best part, is that the series keeps getting better and better as the characters grow, sometimes in painful, very realistic ways. The ghosts are creepier, the mysteries even more solid, and the relationships and bonds more endearing.

I adore everything about this series and while Melanie sometimes frustrates me with her thought process, she is an endearing character who's growth is very much true to how most of us actually grow and learn, with lots of mistakes and bumps and bruises along the way.

And while I can't say that I loved how this ended, with so much left unsaid, undone, and unfinished, I did adore the whole book and all the scary moments and happy things that did occur along the way. 


It reminded me all over again, why I love this series and will continue to read it and look forward to each new installment and hope that many more are still in the works and will be out there to devour because this is definitely a series that you will want to devour once you have started it. I can't recommend it enough for those that love a good bump n the night story and mystery that will keep you interested, turning the pages and on the edge of your seat in both anticipation and chills with what will come out of the dark next. 

Blog Tour Review: The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas

You guys, I love this series. No, I adore this series. It has been so good from the very beginning and truly has just gotten more so as it goes. If you are a lover of historicals, romance, mysteries, or well, anything really, give this series a try, you won't be disappointed. 

Title: The Art of Theft

Author: Sherry Thomas

Series: Book Four in the Lady Sherlock Series

Genre: Historical Mystery

Published By: Berkley (October 15, 2019)

Source: ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Book Description:

Charlotte Holmes, Lady Sherlock, is back solving new cases in the Victorian-set mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of The Hollow of Fear.

As "Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective," Charlotte Holmes has solved murders and found missing individuals. But she has never stolen a priceless artwork—or rather, made away with the secrets hidden behind a much-coveted canvas.

But Mrs. Watson is desperate to help her old friend recover those secrets and Charlotte finds herself involved in a fever-paced scheme to infiltrate a glamorous Yuletide ball where the painting is one handshake away from being sold and the secrets a bare breath from exposure.

Her dear friend Lord Ingram, her sister Livia, Livia's admirer Stephen Marbleton—everyone pitches in to help and everyone has a grand time. But nothing about this adventure is what it seems and disaster is biding time on the grounds of a glittering French chateau, waiting only for Charlotte to make a single mistake... 

*Amazon*B&N*

About the Author:

Because actual world domination is too much trouble, USA Today-bestselling author Sherry Thomas decided that her goal is life is to write every kind of book she enjoys reading. Thus far she has published romance, fantasy, mystery, and a wuxia-inspired duology. Her books regularly receive starred reviews and best-of-the-year honors from trade publications, including such outlets as the New York Times and National Public Radio. She is also a two-time winner of Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award.

And by the way, English is her second language.

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The Lady Sherlock series has been a loved series from the very beginning. In fact, I would even go as far as to say it is one of my most, if not my most, favorite series in the genre. It is just so much fun, always entertaining, so well written and I love the growth and mystery of all the characters. 

The mystery is always center stage but the relationships and love interest are a close second and I love that, especially after book three were we get just a little bit more of it all. 

And with the way book three went, I was honestly expecting this one to run along the same lines relationship wise and sadly, it just didn't. It seemed for every step forward the characters made with each other there was always two steps back that lead them even further away from one another, which was disheartening and honestly, made the story seem less some how. I was really looking forward to the romance becoming more and in almost all cases, it didn't.

However, the mystery and characters themselves were outstanding and once again Thomas' writing is enchanting and you can't help but get sucked right into the story and left wanting more. 

I can only hope with that ending, that we will get more of that little extra something so many of us are rooting and hoping for in book five. 

Promo Post and Giveaway: The Last Dragon by James Riley

Today the fun and highly anticipated middle grade fantasy story, The Last Dragon, sequel to The Revenge of Magic  releases today and one lucky winner (US Only)  will get a copy of both books! 

Title: The Last Dragon
Author: James Riley
Series: Book Two in the Revenge for Magic Series
Genre: MG Fantasy
Published By: Aladdin (October 8, 2019)

Book Description:
Fort Fitzgerald is determined to uncover the truth, but a new student at school and the secrets he has to keep complicate matters in this second novel in a thrilling new series from the author of the New York Times bestselling Story Thieves!

Fort Fitzgerald can’t stop having nightmares about the day his father was taken from him in an attack on Washington, DC. In these dreams, an Old One, an evil beyond comprehension, demands the location of the last dragon. But other than some dragon skeletons dug up with the books of magic on Discovery Day, Fort has never seen a dragon before. Could there still be one left alive?

And weirdly, Fort’s not the only one at the Oppenheimer School having these nightmares. His new roommate, Gabriel, seems to know more than he’s letting on about this dragon as well. And why does everyone at the school seem to do whatever Gabriel says? What’s his secret?

Fort’s going to need the help of his friends Cyrus, Jia, and Rachel, if he’s going to have any chance of keeping the Old Ones from returning to Earth. Unless, the Old Ones offer something Fort could never turn down… 

*Amazon*B&N*

About the Author:

James Riley is the New York Times bestelling author of the HALF UPON A TIME series, the STORY THIEVES series, and the REVENGE OF MAGIC series. Contrary to what previous biographies have stated, he is a) real and b) not the character Nobody from his STORY THIEVES books. Where would people even get that idea? (Spoiler: From him. He totally made it sound like he really was Nobody. He thought it’d be funny. We’re sorry.) 

He was born in Connecticut, where he lived for only a short time before moving to … well, quite a few states. He currently lives in Northern Virginia, outside of Washington, D.C., because that’s where his cats are. He has four of them. Other people think that’s a bit much. 

James is currently working on getting REVENGE OF MAGIC books out every six months, so he might be a little busy. But feel free to e-mail him with questions at jamesrileythatwriterguy@gmail.com, or ask on his blog. You can also write to him through the mail, but he takes FOREVER to get back to you that way, so he really does suggest e-mail instead. Still, if you want to risk it, send letters to him at:

James Riley
c/o Aladdin Publicity Department 
Simon & Schuster, Inc. 
1230 Avenue of the Americas 
New York, NY 10020 

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Review: Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

Title: Twice in a Blue Moon
Author: Christina Lauren
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Contemporary
Published By: Gallery Books (October 22, 2019)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description: 
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners and the “delectable, moving” (Entertainment Weekly) My Favorite Half-Night Stand comes a modern love story about what happens when your first love reenters your life when you least expect it…

Sam Brandis was Tate Jones’s first: Her first love. Her first everything. Including her first heartbreak.

During a whirlwind two-week vacation abroad, Sam and Tate fell for each other in only the way that first loves do: sharing all of their hopes, dreams, and deepest secrets along the way. Sam was the first, and only, person that Tate—the long-lost daughter of one of the world’s biggest film stars—ever revealed her identity to. So when it became clear her trust was misplaced, her world shattered for good.


Fourteen years later, Tate, now an up-and-coming actress, only thinks about her first love every once in a blue moon. When she steps onto the set of her first big break, he’s the last person she expects to see. Yet here Sam is, the same charming, confident man she knew, but even more alluring than she remembered. Forced to confront the man who betrayed her, Tate must ask herself if it’s possible to do the wrong thing for the right reason… and whether “once in a lifetime” can come around twice.

*Amazon*B&N*

I don't think I have tried a Christina Lauren book that I haven't either seriously liked or even been a little bit in love with but, every once in awhile I will come along one that really resonates with me for whatever reason. I can have nothing in common with the heroine and know nothing about her situation or world but yet...I feel connected to her. I get her. I understand her and most of all, I feel for her. Tate is one such character.

I know nothing about being an actress or having a famous father or even about her heartbreak but yet, I feel like I know her and she could very well be me simply because I just....get her. 

These two authors really do have an amazing ability to bring characters to life. Their situations and experiences to feel real and believable no matter how far fetched or out there they are from our own and for that reason alone, they are authors that you come back to time and time again. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*