Category: Traditionally-Published

Blog Tour (Book Review): Straight Expectations – Calum McSwiggan

On By Rowena AndrewsIn LGBTQIA, Review, Romance, Traditionally-Published, YALeave a comment

Hello!

Today I am delighted to be joining The Write reads Ultimate Blog Tour for Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan, a charming YA romance book that has captured me heart and soul.

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Max has always been out, proud and just a little spoiled. Frustrated by the lack of romantic options in his small-town high school, during an argument with his lifelong best friend Dean, Max lashes out and says he wishes he had never been born gay.

Max gets more than he bargained for when he wakes up to find his wish has come true – not only have his feelings for boys vanished, but so has Dean.

With his school life turned upside down and his relationship with his family in tatters, Max sets out on a journey of rediscovery to find a way back to the life he took for granted, and the romance he thought he’d never have.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): Straight Expectations – Calum McSwiggan” →

Blog Tour (Book Review): The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair – Natasha Hastings

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Childrens, Fantasy, Historical, Review, Traditionally-Published1 Comment

Hello!

Once again continuing with the catchup, I am belatedly joining The Write Reads Tour for The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair, the debut from natasha Hastings which is out soon. This book ended up taking me by surprise on so many levels, and was a delightful read particularly as the nights draw in and the weather turns colder.

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

An amazing and captivating, curl-up-on-the-sofa debut about a magical frost fair and the lasting power of friendship.

It’s a cold winter during the Great Frost of 1683. Thomasina and Anne are the best of friends, one running her father’s sweet shop and the other the apprentice at the family apothecary – together they sell their goods on the frozen River Thames. When a family tragedy turns Thomasina’s world upside down, she is drawn to a mysterious conjuror and the enchanted frost fair. But soon the world of Father Winter threatens to claim everything she holds dear. Will they be able to solve the magical mysteries that surround them . . . ?

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair – Natasha Hastings” →

Blog Tour (Book Review): Shield Breaker (The Wolf of Kings #2)- Richard Cullen

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Historical, Review, Traditionally-PublishedLeave a comment

Hello!

Much later than intended thanks to a chaotic week and a poorly dog, but today I am joining the blog tour for Shield Breaker by Richard Cullen. This is the second book in The Wolf of Kings series, and after reading the first book Oath Bound out of interest last year I was delighted to be invited to read and review book two.

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

Styrkar the warrior sails to dangerous lands in this thrilling new historical adventure from Richard Cullen. The sequel to Oath Bound, longlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize 2022.

England, 1068: a land gripped in the iron fist of Frankish invaders. But the Conqueror does not sit easily on his fledgling throne. Rebellion is rife, and the flames of uprising have been ignited in every corner of the kingdom.

Thrown back into this crucible is Styrkar the Dane, former housecarl of the slain King Harold. Forced to travel to Ireland by his deadliest enemy, he must risk the fates of his brothers-in-arms in order to protect the one thing he loves.

So begins a journey that will take Styrkar to the royal court of Dublin, and the frigid climes of the north of England, for loyalty, love and vengeance. He will be tested, beaten and broken, but can any man keep the Red Wolf chained for long?

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): Shield Breaker (The Wolf of Kings #2)- Richard Cullen” →

Blog Tour (Book Review): Sherpa: Stories of Life and Death from the Forgotten Guardians of Everest – Pradeep Bashyal & Ankit Babu Adhikari

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Non Fiction, Review, Traditionally-Published1 Comment

Hello!

Today I am delighted to be joining the Random Things Tours blog tour for Sherpa: Stories of Life and Death from the Forgotten Guardians of Everest by Pradeep Bashyal & Ankit Babu Adhikari. It’s become rarer for me to venture out of SFF these days, but there was no way I could pass on the opportunity to read this one, because not only do I really enjoy non-fiction, but reading about mountaineering and adventure is one of my favourite categories to get lost in. I was already aware of Sherpas because of this, but they are rarely the focus so I couldn’t wait to read a book that focused on them, and this book did not disappoint.

Please do check out the rest of the stops on the tour!

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

Changing the narrative of mountaineering books, Sherpa focuses on the people who live and work on the roof of the world.

Amid all the foreign adventurers that throng to Nepal to scale the world’s highest peaks there exists a small community of mountain people at the foothills of Himalayas. Sherpa tells their story. It’s the story of endeavour and survival at the roof of the world. It dives into their culture and tells of their existence at the edge of life and death. Written by Ankit Babu Adhikari – a writer, social science researcher and musician – and Pradeep Bashyal – a journalist with the BBC based in Nepal – Sherpa traces their story pre- and post-mountaineering revolution, their evolution as climbing crusaders with previously unpublished stories from the most notable and incredible Sherpas of the last 50 years.

This is the story of the Sherpas.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): Sherpa: Stories of Life and Death from the Forgotten Guardians of Everest – Pradeep Bashyal & Ankit Babu Adhikari” →

Blog Tour (Book Review): The Knave of Secrets – Alex Livingston

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Traditionally-Published1 Comment

Hello!

Today I’m joining The Write Reads blog tour for The Knave of Secrets by Alex Livingston, which is out next month from Rebellion Publishing.

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

A twisty tale of magicians, con artists and card games, where secrets are traded and gambled like coin, for fans of The Lies of Locke Lamora and The Mask of Mirrors.

Never stake more than you can afford to lose.

When failed magician turned cardsharp Valen Quinol is given the chance to play in the Forbearance Game—the invitation-only tournament where players gamble with secrets—he can’t resist. Or refuse, for that matter, according to the petty gangster sponsoring his seat at the table. Valen beats the man he was sent to play, and wins the most valuable secret ever staked in the history of the tournament.

Now Valen and his motley crew are being hunted by thieves, gangsters, spies and wizards, all with their own reasons for wanting what’s in that envelope. It’s a game of nations where Valen doesn’t know all the rules or who all the players are, and can’t see all the moves. But he does know if the secret falls into the wrong hands, it could plunge the whole world into war…

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): The Knave of Secrets – Alex Livingston” →

Blog Tour (Book Review): Mapmakers and the Lost Magic – Cameron Chittock and Amanda Castillo

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Childrens, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Review, Traditionally-PublishedLeave a comment

Hello!

Today I am joining the TBR & Beyond Blog Tour for Mapmakers and the Lost Magic – Cameron Chittock and Amanda Castillo which was released a couple of days ago.

You can check out the tour schedule and the other blogs involved here.

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

A young girl finds herself faced with an impossible choice–run away from her beloved valley, or unleash a hidden magic and become a Mapmaker to save her home from its new overlords.

For centuries, the Mapmakers kept peace in the Valley, but they’ve long since disappeared. Now the Night Coats hold power with an iron grip–there are only rules, punishments, and consequences. Until one night, on the run from the Night Coats (again), after breaking another rule (again), Alidade stumbles upon a secret door leading to a magical hideaway that belongs to the Mapmakers. There, she finds a map of her home and accidentally brings to life Blue, a magical creature called a memri who is meant to protect the Valley. Blue needs Alidade’s help to find the Mapmakers and save the Valley from the Night Coats!

But the Mapmakers are long gone.

Alidade has a choice: leave the Valley like she’s always wanted…or become a Mapmaker and save the only home she’s ever known.

This is the first book in a thrilling series of adventures where Alidade discovers the world around her as she goes on a fantastical journey.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): Mapmakers and the Lost Magic – Cameron Chittock and Amanda Castillo” →

Blog Tour (Book Review): The Blood Trials (The Blood Gift Duology #1) – N.E. Davenport

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Fantasy, Review, Sci-Fi, Traditionally-Published1 Comment

Hello!

A little late due to work and tech issues, today I am delighted to be part of the Random Things Blog tour for The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport, the first book in The Blood Gift Duology. This was a fantastic read, and I hope you will check it out along with the rest of the blogs helping out with the tour.

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

It’s all about blood.

The blood spilled between the Republic of Mareen and the armies of the Blood Emperor long ago. The blood gifts of Mareen’s deadliest enemies. The blood that runs through the elite War Houses of Mareen, the rulers of the Tribunal dedicated to keeping the republic alive.

The blood of the former Legatus, Verne Amari, murdered.

For his granddaughter, Ikenna, the only thing steady in her life was the man who had saved Mareen. The man who had trained her in secret, not just in martial skills, but in harnessing the blood gift that coursed through her.

Who trained her to keep that a secret.

But now there are too many secrets, and with her grandfather assassinated, Ikenna knows two things: that only someone on the Tribunal could have ordered his death, and that only a Praetorian Guard could have carried out that order.

Bent on revenge as much as discovering the truth, Ikenna pledges herself to the Praetorian Trials–a brutal initiation that only a quarter of the aspirants survive. She subjects herself to the racism directed against her half-Khanaian heritage and the misogyny of a society that cherishes progeny over prodigy, all while hiding a power that–if found out–would subject her to execution…or worse. Ikenna is willing to risk it all because she needs to find out who murdered her grandfather…and then she needs to kill them.

Mareen has been at peace for a long time…

Ikenna joining the Praetorians is about to change all that.

Magic and technology converge in the first part of this stunning debut duology, where loyalty to oneself–and one’s blood–is more important than anything.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): The Blood Trials (The Blood Gift Duology #1) – N.E. Davenport” →

Blog Tour (Book Review): Dread Wood – Jennifer Killick

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Childrens, Horror, Review, Traditionally-Published1 Comment

Hello!

A little belated as the new job has knocked me for a loop, but today I am delighted to be joining The Write Reads blog tour for Dread Wood by Jennifer Killick a middle-grade horror that was a pleasure to read.

Please do check out the rest of the tour, as well as this wonderful book.

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

Turn the lights on. Lock the door. Things are about to get SERIOUSLY SCARY!

The brand new must-read middle-grade novel from the author of super-spooky Crater Lake. Perfect for 9+ fans of R.L.Stine’s Goosebumps

It’s basically the worst school detention ever. When classmates (but not mate-mates) Hallie, Angelo, Gustav and Naira are forced to come to school on a SATURDAY, they think things can’t get much worse. But they’re wrong. Things are about to get seriously scary.

What has dragged their teacher underground? Why do the creepy caretakers keeping humming the tune to Itsy Bitsy Spider? And what horrors lurk in the shadows, getting stronger and meaner every minute…? Cut off from help and in danger each time they touch the ground, the gang’s only hope is to work together. But it’s no coincidence that they’re all there on detention. Someone has been watching and plotting and is out for revenge…

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): Dread Wood – Jennifer Killick” →

Blog Tour (Book Review): Princess Ever After (The Rosewood Chronicles #5) – Connie Glynn

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Childrens, Fantasy, LGBTQIA, Review, Romance, Traditionally-Published, YA1 Comment

Hello!

Today I am joining The Write Reads ultimate blog tour for Princess After Ever by Connie Glynn, the fifth and final book in The Rosewood Chronicles.

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

Return to the magical world of The Rosewood Chronicles in the fifth and final instalment of this gorgeous series for fans of The Princess Diaries and Harry Potter.

Ellie is a rebellious princess who is no longer hiding her real identity.

Lottie is her Portman, wishing that she could shield Ellie from the threat of Leviathan.

Jamie is Ellie’s Partizan, a lifelong bodyguard sworn to protect the princess at any cost – but has mysteriously disappeared.

Not all of the trio have made it back to Rosewood Hall. Can they be reunited? And at what cost?

With the crown at risk, the stakes have never been higher…

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): Princess Ever After (The Rosewood Chronicles #5) – Connie Glynn” →

Blog Tour (Book Review): Anne of West Philly – Ivy Noelle Weir

On By Rowena AndrewsIn Childrens, Comics & Graphic Novels, Review, Traditionally-Published3 Comments

Hello!

Again a little later than planned due to technical issues, but I am delighted to be joining the TBR & Beyond Blog Tour for Anne of West Philly, a modern retelling of Anne of Green Gables, by Ivy Noelle Weir.

You can check out the rest of the tour schedule HERE

Disclaimer – I received a copy in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Book Summary:

Anne of Green Gables with a twist: in this follow-up to Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy and The Secret Garden on 81st Street, this full-color graphic novel moves Anne Shirley to modern-day West Philadelphia, where where she finds new friends, new rivals, and a new family.

When Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert decide to foster a teenage girl for the first time, their lives are changed forever. Their redheaded foster daughter, Anne Shirley, is in search of an exciting life and has decided that West Philly is where she’s going to find it. Armed with a big personality and unstoppable creativity, Anne takes her new home by storm as she joins the robotics club, makes new friends in Diana and Gilbert, experiences first love, and turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. But as Anne starts to get comfortable, she discovers one thing she wasn’t looking for: a family.

Continue reading “Blog Tour (Book Review): Anne of West Philly – Ivy Noelle Weir” →