Cover Reveal - The Daughters of Maine (Witches of BlackBrook, #2) by Tish Thawer

The Daughters of Maine
Tish Thawer
(Witches of BlackBrook #2)
Publication date: March 7th 2017
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance

“With vivid scenes and likable characters, Thawer’s series is a definite winner! Come for the adventure – and stay for the awesome witchery.” ~ #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, PC CAST

Through space and time, sisters entwined. Lost then found, souls remain bound.

After being reunited in the present day, three sister witches are forced to separate once more in an effort to save their newly formed coven and themselves.

Foes from their past now threaten their future, and a trip that spans centuries is their only hope of survival. Chasing their enemy back through time seems like the right choice, but will walking in the footsteps of their previous lives provide the answers they seek?

Only time will tell.

A Witches of BlackBrook novel.

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Sequel to:
 

Author Bio

 

Award Winning Author, Tish Thawer, writes paranormal romances for all ages. From her first paranormal cartoon, Isis, to the Twilight phenomenon, myth, magic, and superpowers have always held a special place in her heart.

Tish is known for her detailed world-building and magic-laced stories. Her work has been compared to Nora Roberts, Sam Cheever, and Charlaine Harris. She has received a RONE Award nomination (Reward of Novel Excellence), as well as nominations for Best Cover, Reader’s Choice, and Author of the Year (Fantasy, Dystopian, Mystery).

Tish has worked as a computer consultant, photographer, and graphic designer, and is a columnist for Gliterary Girl media and has bylines in RT Magazine and Literary Lunes Magazine. She resides in Arizona with her husband and three wonderful children and is represented by Gandolfo, Helin, and Fountain Literary Management.

You can find Tish on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTishThawer

A common FAQ: "How do you pronounce her last name?"

Answer: Think "Bower" or "Thow-er". It's Persian!

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Review - Caraval (Untitled, #1) by Stephanie Garber

Title: Caraval (Untitled, #1)

Author: Stephanie Garber

Pages: 416

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Release date: 31st January 2017

Blurb from Goodreads: 

 

Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

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My Review:

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley*

Caraval is a magical annual event where you can participate to win a special prize. Scarlett heard tales of Caraval from her grandmother throughout her childhood and now Scarlett's chance has finally come.

After years of writing to Legend, the organiser of Caraval, Scarlett receives invitations for her and her sister, Tella. The invitations arrive not long before Scarlett is due to get married - a marriage that her power-hungry, cruel father has arranged. Scarlett knows there is no way she and Tella can leave their island home and their father but Tella has other ideas. Enlisting the help of a sailor, Tella drags Scarlett to Caraval.

In a twist, the aim of this year's Caraval is to find Tella. The first person to do so wins and will receive one wish from Legend.

Scarlett will do anything to get her sister back but can she survive the game and get Tella back?

Will the sisters escape their controlling father?

There is a lot of hype surrounding Caraval. Is it deserved? Yes, I did enjoy it but not as much as I thought I would.

I found the idea of Caraval very intriguing and I enjoyed the magical aspect.

I liked the contrast between Scarlett and Tella. They were relatable and individual. I felt sorry for them having to live with their abusive father and hoped that they would find a way to get away from him.

The plot was interesting and held my attention but I didn't feel gripped.

I'm interested to see what happens in the sequel.

While I did enjoy Caraval I was slightly disappointed that I didn't enjoy it as much as everyone else seems to have.

Overall this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend.

 

Review - Spindle by Shonna Slayton

Title: Spindle

Author: Shonna Slayton

Pages: 400

Publisher: Entangled: Teen

Release Date: 4th October 2016

Blurb from Goodreads: 

 

In a world where fairies lurk and curses linger, love can bleed like the prick of a finger.

Briar Rose knows her life will never be a fairy tale. She’s raising her siblings on her own, her wages at the spinning mill have been cut, and the boy she thought she had a future with has eyes for someone else. Most days it feels like her best friend, Henry Prince, is the only one in her corner…though with his endless flirty jokes, how can she ever take him seriously?

When a mysterious peddler offers her a “magic” spindle that could make her more money, sneaking it into the mill seems worth the risk. But then one by one, her fellow spinner girls come down with the mysterious sleeping sickness—and Briar’s not immune.

If Briar wants to save the girls—and herself—she’ll have to start believing in fairy tales…and in the power of a prince’s kiss.

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

 *I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley*

Orphaned Briar Rose works in a spinning mill, working hard to keep her younger siblings from the same fate.

Briar only has until her seventeenth birthday to secure her future otherwise her siblings could be taken away, so when Briar's wages are reduced she will do anything to save her family, even accept a supposedly magical wooden spindle from a peddler that should increase her work output.

Then some of Briar's workmates start falling ill - is the spindle connected?

Will Briar become ill too?

Is the spindle really magical?

Spindle was an interesting take on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. I liked that it was set in the past and that suffrage was mentioned.

Briar was a good, relatable protagonist and I felt sorry for her - her parents were dead and she was having to work hard to look after her siblings.

Henry was a likeable character and I thought he was sweet around Briar.

The plot was mostly good but I lost interest a few times.

Overall this was a unique read but I lost interest at points.