All That You Can Read Book Review Buffet~ Part 1

April 19, 2018April 25, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆24 Comments

Hello lovelies! I am sharing this multiple part buffet of book reviews(instead of all you can read, we’ve got all you can read) with you guys because I am so behind on here because of the whole life thing happening. I much rather have a few review posts rather than load up your Reader with nothing but my reviews! ~~My follower count will go from 1,300 to down a few hundred real quick!~~ I know I am awesome and majestic as can be but you guys might burn out really quick on me! ~~Having that many reviews from me back to back will give you instant Dani-overdose which may cause you to run and hide! Mwhahaha!~~ Anyway, enough of my rambling ~~ass~~ self, let’s get to the book reviews! ~~*sings*~~ ~~Lord I was born a rambling man, trying to make a living and do the best that I can…~~

I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley

for providing me with an E-ARC in exchange

for an honest review.

Some secrets are best kept hidden…

Anastasia Phoenix has always been the odd girl out, whether moving from city to international city with her scientist parents or being the black belt who speaks four languages.

And most definitely as the orphan whose sister is missing, presumed dead.
She’s the only one who believes Keira is still alive, and when new evidence surfaces, Anastasia sets out to follow the trail—and lands in the middle of a massive conspiracy. Now she isn’t sure who she can trust. At her side is Marcus, the bad boy with a sexy accent who’s as secretive as she is. He may have followed her to Rome to help, but something about him seems too good to be true.

Nothing is as it appears, and when everything she’s ever known is revealed to be a lie, Anastasia has to believe in one impossibility.

She will find her sister.

Wow, what a (kicking a** and taking no names)fantastic debut!!!! Unfortunately, I was battling power outages the last few weeks and had a loved one in the hospital but not to worry this series made it so much better! This story completely captivated me and brought me to an adventurous place were I felt wild and free! Just, Wow!
Anastasia is completely a relatable character that you have no choice but to fall in love with her. I wish I could have shared my thoughts of this fantastic book sooner. I was completely blown away and just wanted to share my thoughts with the world. As you can imagine, the plot was AMAZING and fast paced that grabbed ahold of the reader. Reading through the store there was so much action, that I felt I was part of Charlie’s Angels kicking ass/teenage ninja style! Lately I have had some really good luck with YA/Teen book and I realized they were mostly one publisher, I LOVE the books published by Entangled Teen! As I scrolled through my kindle I felt the intensity because this book had a great storyline, amazing characters that you could relate to, and enough action to blow you away! Without any doubt, I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a great story, mystery and suspense that you won’t soon forget! As soon as I finished this novel I needed more and of course, I highly enjoyed the second novel as well! This is a series that I relate to and will fangirl about!!!😍🤗😘💚💙💛💝
Thanks so much to Entangled Teen and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

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The Italian Job meets Bourne Identity meets Spy Kids in this sequel to Proof of Lies.

What if saving yourself meant destroying everyone you love?

Still reeling from everything she learned while searching for her sister in Italy, Anastasia Phoenix is ready to call it quits with spies. Then she and her friends learn that Marcus’s—her kind of boyfriend—brother, Antonio, has also gone missing. Luckily, they track down Antonio in a fiery festival in England, only to learn he has been working for the enemy, Department D, the whole time. But Antonio wants out. And so does Anastasia.

But before any of them can leave espionage and their parents’ crimes behind them, a close friend turns up dead. No one is safe, not while Department D still exists. So Anastasia and her friends embark on a dangerous plan to bring down an entire criminal empire, using every Dresden Kid they can find.

As their world becomes surrounded by spies, and the children of spies, Anastasia starts to question who she can really trust. Including her best friends…

This is one of my new favorite series, that’s for sure! I was totally captivated by the first book with the action, suspense, mystery and the dynamics of the fascinating characters! When reading this story, I felt more of a connection to the characters. Which was amazing that I could become so invested in these awesome characters. I loved the story and was totally engulfed in the story and ready for more! The only concern I had with the story was that it was a little slow in some areas but that’s a common problem in sequels. It still was a great read and had me completely captivated. I recommend this novel to anyone who has read the first book of the series to check this one out because you see the characters grow in their own ways and you become more connected with them and the story. Lies that Bind starts right where Proof of Lies left off. It could be read as a standalone because it mentions enough of the first book but I recommend reading the first one first to get the full effect! With a great storyline, this was a highly enjoyable read and I have the head librarian at my book club checking it out! I can’t wait to see what Ms. Wallach comes out with next!!!

Allie’s second husband is killed tragically when his 18-wheeler crashes into the rocks near their home in Cape San Blas–the tanker was full of fuel and the explosion could be seen on overhead satellites. She’d already lost the beloved waterfront restaurant her parents started and now losing her husband, no matter how unfulfilling their marriage was, might just push her over the edge.

Joseph’s time in Vietnam left him with scars that never seemed to heal. No matter how he’s tried to love or what he’s tried to do since then, he can’t pull himself out of the wreckage of his former life. His trust and security shaken, he isolates himself in a cabin. But every morning, he faithfully pours two cups of coffee, drinking his while he sits with the second, and then pouring out the full cup.

It’s no small coincidence that Joseph found a mother and her two young children lost in the woods near his cabin. Or that when he helps them return to family in Florida, he’s near enough to see that explosion. Near enough to know it’s close to home. Near enough to know that his childhood sweetheart needs him.

The years have built so much distance between them, but it’s the secrets that may be their final undoing. Send Down the Rain reminds us of the beauty of truth . . . and the power of love to wash away the past.

While finishing this story, I had tears in my eyes. This story was filled with passion, romance and hope for second chances. The characterization was top of the line and it had such unique characteristics that forces you to keep scrolling/turning pages to have more. Mystery, romance, passion, drama and intensity brought together brings you Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin.
I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.

This chilling new mystery in the USA Today bestselling series by Charles Finch takes readers back to Charles Lenox’s very first case and the ruthless serial killer who would set him on the course to become one of London’s most brilliant detectives.

London, 1850: A young Charles Lenox struggles to make a name for himself as a detective…without a single case. Scotland Yard refuses to take him seriously and his friends deride him for attempting a profession at all. But when an anonymous writer sends a letter to the paper claiming to have committed the perfect crime–and promising to kill again–Lenox is convinced that this is his chance to prove himself.

The writer’s first victim is a young woman whose body is found in a naval trunk, caught up in the rushes of a small islets in the middle of the Thames. With few clues to go on, Lenox endeavors to solve the crime before another innocent life is lost. When the killer’s sights are turned toward those whom Lenox holds most dear, the stakes are raised and Lenox is trapped in a desperate game of cat and mouse.

In the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, this newest mystery in the Charles Lenox series pits the young detective against a maniacal murderer who would give Professor Moriarty a run for his money.

I’m a newbie to this series but reading the prequel was highly enjoyable! If you are looking for a great murder mystery with a Sherlock Holmes kind of feel I think you would find this series highly entertaining! These books are definitely going on my TBR so I can embark myself into this delightful adventure.
I want to thank St. Martins Press and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.

Thanks so much for checking out my reviews Love! So much more to come! I know, I know it might seem like I am being a slacker but it’s been one of those times where you look for blessings and all you can find is that you can wait another 10 years before your bosoms really point to the floor! ~~Honestly, I don’t even have that blessing. Had kids than bam! Gravity!!!~~ Anyways it’s been bad but I still have my free spirit so I have to keep pushing!

On a real note, I am making it one of my main goals ~~and ways to keep me sane~~ to catch up on all my reviews and go the distance! *sings* he’s going the distance, he’s going for speed….

You guys are the best and I have missed all of your faces!!!! Love ya in the mouth!

Reads & Reels Tours: Backdoor Storytelling – And Sidetellings. And Retellings. Featuring Chauncey Rogers, Author Of Happily

April 11, 2018April 17, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆25 Comments

I would like to thank Reads and Reels Blog Tours and Chauncey Rogers for providing me with this opportunity!😍

I’m was beyond excited that I was able to be part of this blog tour! I was happy dancing majorly(insert cabbage patch) when I received the invite about this tour and it popped up in my inbox from the lovely Shannanigans @ Reads and Reels Blog Tours!!💃 Woot, Woot!!!😍

I have to admit I fangirl a bit ~~too much~~ over this novel and I am shamelessly guilty that I have already read this book twice. I loved it like that crazy fun kind of love the first time around and loved it just as much the next time around, if not more!
I have been battling that nasty thing called grief and this was the perfect story to read to help push me back into my ~~obsession~~ love of my books and blogging!😍 I highly recommend this book to anyone for any mood and/or occasion It’s simply one you won’t want to put down! You can find my review of Happily by Chauncey Rogers here. Okay, Okay enough with me my mouth , let’s get back to the tour!

Today’s blog tour is a bit different today. Chauncey has been celebrating his release of his newest novel by sharing something similar to the story but also unique as well with every tour stop. I will be sharing the synopsis of Happily and then you will get to hear from Chauncey himself!😁 Hope you enjoy and thank you for stopping by.😉💖💯

Publication Information:

Title: Happily

Author: Chauncey Rogers

Pages: 299

Publication Date: April 3, 2018

Genre: YA (MG-friendly) Fantasy/Fairy-Tale Retelling

If the shoe fits, wear it.
If it doesn’t, make it.

Laure is a teenage street urchin just trying to get away. Where the rest of the world sees an enchanting love story, Laure sees royal incompetence and an opportunity to exploit it. She’ll have wealth and a way out of a life she detests, if she can only manage to hoodwink the royal family and survive to tell the tale.

Backdoor Storytelling – And Sidetellings. And Retellings.

Thank you Dani! It’s great to be on your blog today!

We’re talking about the different variations of retellings today, and what it is about them that charms us so much. I’m going to make up some of my own definitions, because I’m of the type of person that does that.

So let’s start with the made up definitions for retellings, backdoortellings, and sidetellings.

A retelling follows the same character as the original tale, but twists major elements of the story.
A backdoortelling follows a lesser character through the same events, offering a new perspecitve.
A sidetelling follows an equivalent character, offering a new perspective andpossible twists.

The film A.I. is a retelling of Pinocchio.
The novel Ender’s Shadow is a backdoortelling of Ender’s Game.
The picture book The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! is a sidetelling of The Three Little Pigs and the Big, Bad Wolf.

Think I’m making these definitions up just to look smart and unnecessarily subcategorize Happily?
You’re probably right.

But anyways, what is it about these new approaches to traditional stories that we love so much? Why do readers and viewers love to see a story they already know, told in new ways?

I’m sure there are many different reasons. One I’d like to talk about is predictability. We like these retellings because of their predictability.

It might sound slightly counter intuitive. Normally, when you hear “predictable” ascribed to a story, it’s a bad mark against it. And yet, there is a certain degree of predictability that we want to see in stories.

We can usually guess the ending—we still don’t want people to tell it to us and spoil it, but we have a hunch that the good guys are going to win, the lost dog will be found, the lovers will be ruineted, the athlete will overcome, etc. Does this always happen? Of course not. Is that okay? Of course it is. But generally, we can guess the outcome.

For example, in Star Wars: A New Hope, we know right from the beginning that there’s an evil empire, a group of rebels opposing them, a battlestation that can destroy planets, and plans that will reveal its weakness.

Does it take a genius to predict that the rebels will (spoiler alert, I guess) blow up the Death Star? Hardly.

But how will they do it? That’s what we don’tknow, and that’s what’s exciting to find out. It’s exciting to see our predictions be correct, and it’s exciting to see the twists that will make it happen (or will delay it happening).

And that is a rather roundabout way of explaining one reason why we enjoy retellings as much as we do. It’s because the audience has an even higher ability to predict what might happen, because we already know one version of the story. The fun, then, is in seeing how the storyteller is going to introduce the elements we’ve predicted. If they’re not creative or surprising enough, it feels bland. If they’re too creative or surprising, it comes off as untrue to the original story. But if it hits the sweet spot, where it provides the perfect twist on the reader’s expectations—a masterpiece!

There are other reasons, I’m sure, why we love retellings—nostalgia or familiarity being one, I’m sure, but I wanted to discuss one that people might not have considered, as well as a concept that applies to storytelling in general. It isn’t the often predictable outcomes that surprise and delight audiences. It’s how they got there.

Have your own theory of why people love retellings? Have a favorite retelling yourself? Or maybe want to say how upset you are with me for spoiling the ending of Star Wars: A New Hope? Let us know in the comments!

Bio:

Chauncey Rogers was born in Arizona, and since then has hopped back and forth between the mid-western and western United States. He married in 2012 while attending school in Utah. His favorite movie since he was three is Jurassic Park, and he wishes very badly that Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster were real, though he doesn’t believe in them as much as he used to.

In March 2017, he published his first novel,Home To Roost. In October 2017, he published Cleaving Souls.

He currently lives in Kansas City with his wife and two children.

You can find Chauncey Rogers on his WordPress blog and author website @ chaunceyrogers.com

Day 9 of 13 of Happily’s Release Blog Tour. See the full schedule here.

Happily on GoodReads
Purchase Happily on Amazon!

Manipulative Lives by H.A. Leuschel Tour

April 4, 2018April 9, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆20 Comments

I want thank Rachel’s Random Resources and H.A. Herschel for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.

Title: Manipulative Lives

Author: H.A. Herschel

Publication Date: June 8, 2016

Page Count: 273 pages

Categories and Genre:

Purchase Link – https://books2read.com/u/49P2MJ

Manipulated Lives

Five stories – Five Lives

Have you ever felt confused or at a loss for words in front of a spouse, colleague or parent, to the extent that you have felt inadequate or, worse, a failure? Do you ever wonder why someone close to you seems to endure humiliation without resistance? Manipulators are everywhere. At first these devious and calculating people can be hard to spot, because that is their way. They are often masters of disguise: witty, disarming, even charming in public – tricks to snare their prey – but then they revert to their true self of being controlling and angry in private. Their main aim: to dominate and use others to satisfy their needs, with a complete lack of compassion and empathy for their victim. In this collection of short novellas, you meet people like you and me, intent on living happy lives, yet each of them, in one way or another, is caught up and damaged by a manipulative individual. First you meet Tess, whose past is haunted by a wrong decision, then young, successful and well balanced Sophie, who is drawn into the life of a little boy and his troubled father. Next, there is teenage Holly, who is intent on making a better life for herself, followed by a manipulator himself, trying to make sense of his irreversible incarceration. Lastly, there is Lisa, who has to face a parent’s biggest regret. All stories highlight to what extent abusive manipulation can distort lives and threaten our very feeling of self-worth.

I absolutely loved this book and how each of the five stories brought a unique group of characters and a steady paced plot to keep you hooked from start to finish. I’m going to be honest, I devoured this whole book in one night and stayed up all night with it! #WorthIt!

I really enjoyed the different backgrounds of each character and how it brought a fresh perspective to the table for every one of the five stories. I became heavily invested in the characters and I ended up scrolling through my kindle as fast as I could so that I could discover the twists and outcome. Out of all the stories, I really adored Tess and Tattoos. It was a bittersweet story but like the rest of the novellas, it really made you think of the effects that abuse has on someone and what they all go through.

As a woman who has been in a couple of emotionally abusive relationships, I really felt Tess’s pain but in the same sense I felt her joy!💖 Even though I faced abuse throughout my life, I thankfully didn’t find these psychological dramas a trigger. This beautiful collection of novellas are full of depth, heart-wrenching and heartwarming moments that I am sure many readers will love! I highly recommend these stories and am excited to see what the author comes out with next!

Author Bio –

Helene Andrea Leuschel grew up in Belgium where she gained a Licentiate in Journalism & Communication, which led to a career in radio and television in Brussels, London and Edinburgh. She now lives with her husband and two children in Portugal and recently acquired a Master of Philosophy with the OU, deepening her passion for the study of the mind. When she is not writing, Helene works as a freelance journalist and teaches Yoga.

Social Media Links –

www.facebook.com/HALeuschel/

https://twitter.com/HALeuschel

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15337013.H_A_Leuschel

http://www.heleneleuschel.com

Giveaway – Win a signed copy of Manipulated Lives by H.A. Leuschel (Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c6949473/?

Rachel’s Random Resources

An Assortment of 5 Star Reviews!!! Whitman’s Sampler at it’s Finest!(A Whole Box of the Peanut Butter and Caramel Filled Goodies)

April 2, 2018April 9, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆40 Comments

I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for providing

me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I appreciate this opportunity and all

views expressed are my own.

A groomsman and his last-minute guest are about to discover if a fake date can go the distance in a fun and flirty debut novel.

Agreeing to go to a wedding with a guy she gets stuck with in an elevator is something Alexa Monroe wouldn’t normally do. But there’s something about Drew Nichols that’s too hard to resist.

On the eve of his ex’s wedding festivities, Drew is minus a plus one. Until a power outage strands him with the perfect candidate for a fake girlfriend…

After Alexa and Drew have more fun than they ever thought possible, Drew has to fly back to Los Angeles and his job as a pediatric surgeon, and Alexa heads home to Berkeley, where she’s the mayor’s chief of staff. Too bad they can’t stop thinking about the other…

They’re just two high-powered professionals on a collision course toward the long distance dating disaster of the century–or closing the gap between what they think they need and what they truly want..

This was a fun rom com that will leave you swooning for more!!!😍 I requested this novel because I was looking for something to lighten my mood! Well this book definitely did the trick and gave me more! I was in a rough patch and my power was on and off but this was something that gave me the light and and the bliss, I was searching for!😍 If you are looking for something sexy, swoon worthy and something that will make you laugh out loud, then look no further than this outstanding novel!😍
I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.

“An important antidote to the dogmatic ‘kale and vitamins’ tone of most ‘self-help’ literature.”
—Alexa Tsoulis-Reay, senior writer, New York magazine

Popular blogger Ilana Jacqueline offers smart and savvy advice, humor, and practical tips for living with an invisible chronic illness.

Do you live with a chronic, debilitating, yet invisible condition? You may feel isolated, out of step, judged, lonely, or misunderstood—and that’s on top of dealing with the symptoms of your actual illness. Take heart. You are not alone, although sometimes it can feel that way.

Written by a blogger who suffers from an invisible chronic illness, Surviving and Thriving with an Invisible Chronic Illness offers peer-to-peer support to help you stay sane, be your own advocate, and get back to living your life. This compelling guide is written for anyone suffering with an illness no one can see—such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), Lyme disease, lupus, dysautonomia, or even multiple sclerosis (MP).

This book will tell you everything you need to know about living with a complicated, invisible condition—from how to balance sex, dating, and relationships to handling work and school with unavoidable absences. You’ll also learn to navigate judg-y or skeptical relatives and strangers and—most importantly—manage your medical care.

Suffering from a chronic illness doesn’t mean you can’t live an active, engaged life. This book will show you how.

This was an absolutely amazing book! This story was a magnificent work of art!!! I was completely blown away with how much this story hit home! It’s like the author knew everything that I needed to hear with my chronic invisible illnesses! As a person that battles fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, severe mental health issues and much more, I wake up crying in pain most days and am stuck in my bed from the inability to even walk at the age 29. I feel like giving up most days. I have lost many friends and many family members don’t talk to me because of all of my problems but like the author I found solstice in blogging and other things. The author describes things that people go through perfectly! I literally highlighted 4/5 ths of this book because of how amazing it was! I also added so many notes that it was unbelievable!!! I found hope within the pages of this book. I guarantee you that this story is first class and I recommend it to anyone suffering any kind of invisible illness or any family of those who suffer! Hands down a five star read that I will buy for my family and friends, recommend to my manager at the bookstore I work at and will recommend to the blogosphere! I can’t wait to see what this author comes out with next!!!! Just, WOW!

James “Professor Puff” Henry may as well have “loser” stamped on his forehead. Divorced, overweight, shy, and living at home, he relies on books and his favorite snack — cheese puffs — for sweet relief from his problems. A former English lit professor at William and Mary, he moves back to Quincy’s Gap, a small Virginia town in the Shenandoah Valley, to take care of his recently-widowed father. To improve his social life and waistline, he joins a supper club for dieters who lovingly call themselves the “Flab Five.” Avoiding carbs is nearly impossible in this deep-fried potato-loving land, so a mysterious death in their small burg provides an effective, if disturbing, distraction. While dodging delectable temptations, Professor Henry and his fellow dieters work together to shed pounds and find the killer who has struck fear in this tight-knit community.

What another fantastic series by Ellery Adams! I absolutely LOVE this story! I requested this novel because I have loved reading the author’s other works. All of the stories that I have read by this author were books that involve books and that’s an obvious weakness. What can I say? I am #obsessed This one seemed a bit different and not focused on the love of reading as much but I am crazy about the author’s work so requested and I am so glad I did because Ellery Adams made another great cozy that is sure to please many!
This story is a great cozy that is filled with characters that you can’t help but to love!😍💜 I thought this story wouldn’t involve books as much but it still had a little bit of the bibliophile charm to it as well. Also being a plus size woman, I could relate to the main characters and their battles. They had there unique and quirky personalities with backstories that made them relatable and causes you to become highly invested in their stories!
I enjoyed the mystery of this story and was surprised by the outcome. This book took me on such a fun adventure and warmed my heart at the same time causing me to be distraught when I finished it. I wanted to read the second installment immediately but you know how a book reviewer’s schedule goes, “so many books, so little time”. I can’t wait to get a chance to read the second book in this series and highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good cozy!😍

A suspense novel from the award-winning author of The Haunting of Maddy Clare…

Vermont, 1950. There’s a place for the girls whom no one wants–the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. It’s called Idlewild Hall. And in the small town where it’s located, there are rumors that the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding friendship blossoming–until one of them mysteriously disappears. . . .

Vermont, 2014. As much as she’s tried, journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot stop revisiting the events surrounding her older sister’s death. Twenty years ago, her body was found lying in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And though her sister’s boyfriend was tried and convicted of murder, Fiona can’t shake the suspicion that something was never right about the case.

When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during the renovations will link the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past–and a voice that won’t be silenced. . . .

This story is a hands down MUST read! I was in complete awe of this book and when I finished the book I had to go back and read through the story again to see how everything tied in! I was utterly addicted and an immediate fangirl! The hype for this book is well deserved. I stayed up hours past my usual bedtime because I had to know how this story concluded and was highly pleased with the results!
I am usually confused by different time tables and different POVs but this novel pulled it off perfectly! The plot was fast paced yet wonderfully descriptive. This is a page turner that I don’t think many would be able to forget. There was so many different amazing elements of this sorry such as; depth, drama, suspense, thrilling and chilling moments, paranormal, romance, war crimes, tragedy, and perspective on how much things have changed over the last 50 years.
I was captivated and intensely invested in all of the enticing characters in this novel. There were so many unique personalities with such intriguing backgrounds that you can’t help but become invested. If you love reading a story filled with twists and turns, this is one that is sure to please. I only figured out one twists out of so many unexpected plot twists! I highly recommend this book! This is surely one of the best stories that I had the privilege to experience!😍
I want to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.

Hello my lovelies! I have missed you guys so much! I have been pretty much on a hiatus for going on a month only online here an there. Unfortunately, I lost someone close to me and went through a heartbreak as well. It was a very difficult time and having some crazy ear problems. I battled vertigo so bad I was bed ridden most days and couldn’t read so had to do TTS but enough about that depressing crap. We all know when it rains, it pours but I am back to the positive Dani that is trying her best to dance and break it down in the rain. Thanks so much for all the love and support you all have shown me. You guys are the cheese to my macaroni! I will be doing my best to catch up on my posts and blog hopping so what that means is hopefully your notifications will be filled with Dani-style spam soon! Yay! Anywho, I love your faces and hope you guys had a fantabulous holiday!

*As an Amazon affiliate, I am supposed to let you fabulous people know according to Amazon guidelines that if you click on my links and purchase anything you won’t be charged any different. The only difference is that I get a percentage of the sale because of sharing the love of these books. So there I said it and I can’t be put in the corner! “Nobody throws Baby in the corner!”

Book Review: Happily by Chauncey Rogers~5+ Stars!

March 28, 2018April 9, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆40 Comments

I would like to thank the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.

Title: Happily
Author: Chauncey Rogers
Categories and Genre:

If the shoe fits, wear it.
If it doesn’t, make it.

When Chauncey Rogers first asked me to review his new book “Happily”, I was automatically intrigued after reading his horror/thriller novel, “Cleaving Souls”. Now when he told me it was a Cinderella retelling, I was completely thrown off guard! How was the man that wrote such a thrilling novel as “Cleaving Souls” going to pull off a fairy tale relling??!! Honestly, I was a little scared because what if I didn’t like it and I liked Chauncey as a person so much as well as his previous novel.
Well he put those feelings at bay, instantly!!!

In fact, I devoured this whole novel in one sitting! This is hands down the best fairy tale retelling that I have read! It was completely incredible and the characterization was absolutely amazing! Laure was filled with this sass and spunk that you can’t help but love. Luc has a heart of gold that just made me swoon.

The plot was fast and steady yet wonderfully descriptive! This book teaches a lot of valuable principles, for instance you should “never judge a book by it’s cover” and “true beauty truly lies from within”. I became intensely invested in these characters that I didn’t want the novel to stop and I am dying for more! I truly loved everything about it and Chauncey Rogers has quickly made himself one of my all time favorite authors! I know that regardless of the genre or the synopsis of the book that Chauncey Rogers comes out with, it’s going to be a magnificent work of art! I would seriously follow his work anywhere! I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good retelling and/or Young Adult novel.😍💯📚❤👑

I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all opinions expressed are my own.

You can find Chauncey’s website/WordPress Blog @ chaunceyrogers.com

The Whitman’s Sampler of Book Reviews Part One

March 14, 2018March 14, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆54 Comments

Hello there guys! As some may know I have dealt with some stupid electrical and technical difficulties, well I am really behind on reviews and I want to catch up on some book reviews! This way you get an assortment of reviews and I get to catch up! Win-Win!!! It’s like when you receive an Whitman’s Sampler on the holidays or you go to the mall and there is always those trusty free samples! Who doesn’t like those array of free samples? You can get your kung pao chicken and a bite of an Italian sub in one trip! See now that I have your attention ~~and made you hungry~~ we are able to start these shenanigans, Dani-style! Woot!

Three generations of Irish nobles face their family secrets in this spellbinding novel from the award-winning author of the Boleyn King trilogy.

The Gallagher family has called Deeprath Castle home for seven hundred years. Nestled in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland, the estate is now slated to become a public trust, and book lover and scholar Carragh Ryan is hired to take inventory of its historic library. But after meeting Aidan, the current Viscount Gallagher, and his enigmatic family, Carragh knows that her task will be more challenging than she’d thought.

Two decades before, Aidan’s parents died violently at Deeprath. The case, which was never closed, has recently been taken up by a new detective determined to find the truth. The couple’s unusual deaths harken back a century, when twenty-three-year-old Lady Jenny Gallagher also died at Deeprath under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind an infant son and her husband, a renowned writer who never published again. These incidents only fueled fantastical theories about the Darkling Bride, a local legend of a sultry and dangerous woman from long ago whose wrath continues to haunt the castle.

The past catches up to the present, and odd clues in the house soon have Carragh wondering if there are unseen forces stalking the Gallagher family. As secrets emerge from the shadows and Carragh gets closer to answers—and to Aidan—could she be the Darkling Bride’s next victim?

This was a highly enjoyable dark murder mystery. When I first requested this egalley, I was drawn in by the gothic style elements that were present and what bibliophile doesn’t like a book that involves books? Especially one set in an irish, gothic, and historical library setting. We also got to enjoy a gothic style romance with a lot of dark mysterious paranormal elements including the descriptions of an Irish Castle library and the rest of the 200 year old castle’s secret rooms. This was quite the magnificent tale and the all the characters(including the dead ones ( were enjoyable.The only issue I had with this book was the romance felt a bit off and little forced. Overall, I enjoyed this novel with fantastic characters, a great plot and a gorgeous setting! Highly recommended!
I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

After spending her life in foster care, Ava has finally found home. But all it takes is a chance encounter with hot nerd Wyatt Wilcox for it to unravel.

Now, things are starting to change. First, the flashes of memories slowly creeping in. Memories of other lives, lives that Wyatt is somehow in. Then, the healing. Any cut? Gone.

But when Cade and Nick show up, claiming to be her brothers, things get even weirder. They tell her she’s a Phoenix, sent to protect the world from monsters—monsters she never knew existed. It’s a little hard to accept. Especially when they tell her she has to end the life of a Phoenix turned rogue, or Cade will die.

With Wyatt’s increasingly suspicious behavior, Ava’s determined to figure out what he’s hiding. Unless she can discover Wyatt’s secret in time and complete her Phoenix training, she’ll lose the life, love, and family she never thought she could have.

I liked this book! I think this series has a lot of potential to be something amazing but to be honest this first installment could use a little bit of work. While the plot was fast paced and the story ended up being really good, the beginning confused me really bad. This story is told from multiple POVs and I do enjoy that in a book but with this story and not knowing what a Phoenix was in the beginning I was very lost. I think many readers will love this series and it turned out to be a good adventure. I want to continue reading this series to see what the author has in store for us next. While my rating is 3 stars because all of this confusion, I would still recommend others checking it out of they like the sound of the premise.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.

Helena Davies just wants a job that will get her out of her parents’ basement. Abernathy’s Bookstore is disorganized, out of the way, and smells funny, but it pays well and promises to at least be interesting. She has no idea how interesting her life will become. By the end of the first day, Helena has a dead boss in the basement, an unexpected promotion, and the news that she is now a part of an endless war against creatures from another reality.

As Abernathy’s newest custodian, Helena is responsible for its secrets, including the most important one: Abernathy’s isn’t just a bookstore. It’s the world’s only living oracle, producing prophecies to help fight the war against alien invaders bent on draining this world of its magic. Helena’s job is to find books to answer questions put to the oracle by the Wardens, fighters in the Long War. It seems simple enough, but Helena’s new job is anything but.

She has allies: her best friend Viv, from whom she has no secrets; Harry and Harriet Keller, elderly magi skilled at uncovering secrets; and the enigmatic Malcolm Campbell, warrior magus and one of the few who have faith in Helena’s abilities. But not everyone is thrilled that an outsider now has charge of one of the world’s most powerful magical entities. Helena must defend herself against the antagonism of Judy Rasmussen, who’d expected to be the next custodian of Abernathy’s, and her father William, powerful leader of the Wardens and someone with an agenda of his own.

Without training, without any knowledge of the magical world, and facing the hostility of those who’d wanted someone else to be Abernathy’s custodian, Helena must navigate the treacherous waters of her new world and find a place for herself within it. But there’s still a murderer on the loose, someone who intended to control Abernathy’s by killing its custodian—and Helena might be next on his list.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel!😍 This is a book that any book lover who loves magic would enjoy! This book was filled with great characters, fantastic word building, a fast paced plot and magic! I loved Helena’s character and how even though she was new to the magic world she was open minded and strong. The reason why I am not giving this book 5 stars is because the ending wasn’t the best. Overall, this is a story that I really enjoyed and recommend.
I want to thank the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.

Inspiring, personal, and often spiritual reflections on how women can find peace, make wise choices, practice everyday joy, and step into their power from Geneen Roth—author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Women Food and God.

From the beginning, Geneen Roth was told she was too sensitive, too emotional, too curious, too demanding, too intense, and too big. Yet gaining and losing weight for decades did not improve her self-worth or reduce other people’s criticisms. Like most women who struggle with their weight, she believed that if she could resolve what seemed to be the source of her self-hatred—how and what she ate—she would be thin, happy, and free. That belief, she discovered, was false.

When her struggle with food ended—and didn’t change anything except the size of her thighs—she kept trying to fix other broken parts of herself with therapy, intensive meditation retreats, and rigorous spiritual practices. Yet it was only when Geneen stopped trying to change or fix herself—that she was at last able to feel at home in her mind, body, and life. Now, she shares the wisdom of giving up what Geneen calls “the Me Project,” and finding the freedom, peace and power that await us just beyond it.

With humor, compassion, and insight, This Messy Magnificent Life explores the personal beliefs, hidden traumas, and social pressures that shape not just women’s feelings about their bodies, but also their confidence, choices, and relationships. This provocative, enchanting, and sometimes laugh-out-loud look at the imperfect path women take to step into their own power, presence, and ownership is based on the author’s personal journey and her decades of work with thousands of women around the country.

Roth embraces everyone’s unique and often unsung potential and shows us how to be open, curious, and kind with ourselves; how to say no to people and ideas that hold us back; how to let go of grudges and anxieties; how to pick ourselves up after setbacks; how to say a resounding yes to the world; how to move from fixing ourselves to finding ourselves; how to find joy in the ordinary; and how to experience the extraordinary right here and now in our bodies.

With a foreword by Anne Lamott, This Messy Magnificent Life is a compelling and often quirky look at what it means to be an imperfect but unapologetic woman living a (mostly) magnificent life.

When requesting this title I didn’t realize that it was Christian based. Of course there’s nothing wrong with that with me personally because I am a Christian but my beliefs are very open minded. I appreciate the honesty in this book and it had great writing. I just didn’t find it that relatable. My daily struggles are on a different level and not the same as the author experienced. While I think a lot of women can benefit from this honest, well written and positive novel. This book wasn’t relatable for me so that is why I am giving it 3 stars.
Thanks so much to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

The small suburb of Pleasant Court lives up to its name. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows their neighbours, and children play in the street.

Isabelle Heatherington doesn’t fit into this picture of family paradise. Husbandless and childless, she soon catches the attention of three Pleasant Court mothers.

But Ange, Fran and Essie have their own secrets to hide. Like the reason behind Ange’s compulsion to control every aspect of her life. Or why Fran won’t let her sweet, gentle husband near her new baby. Or why, three years ago, Essie took her daughter to the park – and returned home without her.

As their obsession with their new neighbour grows, the secrets of these three women begin to spread – and they’ll soon find out that when you look at something too closely, you see things you never wanted to see.

What, a suspenseful read! This story had me on the edge of my seat and scrolling through my kindle as quick as possible. The plot was fast paced and the descriptions were so realistic that you could feel the characters emotions. I enjoyed the characterization in this book and it was chilling how much this book proves there is so much more than what meets the eyes. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for something filled with deception, family issues, love and so much more! The twists and turns in this story surprised me and caught me completely off guard. I can’t wait to see what Sally Hepworth has in store for us next! I hated putting this story down and am looking forward to reading Ms. Hepworth’s previous works. Thank you so much to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.

Reads & Reels Book Review: Mask Beneath Her Face

March 8, 2018March 11, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆21 Comments

Title: Mask Beneath Her Fac

Author: Rafael Chandler

Genre & Categories:

Add on Goodreads:

On Amazon for only 99 cents! *Please note prices change often so check price before checkout!

During the 1980s, slashers terrorized America. With machetes and masks, these unstoppable killers stalked college campuses, quiet suburbs, and lakeside cabins.Thirty years ago, Bobbi Metzger survived a massacre at her 16th birthday party. She spent decades putting her life back together.

Tonight, Bobbi will face a new killer: a high-tech slasher hell-bent on opening the doorway to an abyss of unimaginable horror.

How long can Bobbi survive this nightmare? What will she do to protect the people she loves? How much blood is she willing to spill?

Omg, this brought a new face to the horror genre! Yes it’s filled with guts and blood but the plot was AMAZING! I was hesitant to read this book at first. I mean look at that COVER!!!😱😱😱

Yes it scared the crapola out of me and had me awake through the night with nightmares but it also had me turning pages as fast as possible needing to know how things turned out! Rafael Chandler truly created a work of art when he wrote Mask Beneath Her Face. If you love a good slasher film and something so intense that has you on the edge of your seat, than look no further than this incredible book.

This is a fantastic story that is surely not to be missed and I am so thankful to Shannon @ Reads & Reels Blog Tours and Rafael Chandler for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review! I appreciate this opportunity and all views and opinions expressed are my own. Back to the Book! This book had great characters and a killer fast plot!(Like how I did that?)

Also you will be blown away by blood splatter, revenge, gore and an AMAZING ending that will have you begging for more! I highly recommend this horrific gem to anyone who likes the horror or thriller genre! It’s definitely a fast paced thriller worth your time and money!❤😄💯📚

About the Author

Rafael Chandler writes novels (Hexcommunicated, The Astounding Antagonists), video games (SOCOM 4, Rainbow Six: Lockdown, MAG), and tabletop role-playing games (Teratic Tome, Lusus Naturae). He’s a metalhead, a kaijuphile, and a gorehound.

Rafael Chandler | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

For your chance to win either a print copy or 1 of 5 digital copies of Mask Beneath Her Face, click the link below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mask Beneath Her Face Blog Tour Schedule

March 5^th

Reads & Reel (Feature Promo)

Books and Belle (Review) https://booksandbelleblog.wordpress.com

Teri Polen (Excerpt) http://teripolen.wordpress.com

Mach 6^th

The Scary Reviews (Excerpt) https://thescaryreviews.com

Cover to Cover (Guest Post by Rafael Chandler) http://www.liisthinks.wordpress.com

On the Shelf Book Reviews (Excerpt) https://ontheshelfreviews.wordpress.com

Book Reviews, Et Al by Shalini (Excerpt) www.bookreviewsbyshalini.wordpress.com

March 7^th

Books Teacups and Reviews (Excerpt) https://booksteacupnreviews.wordpress.com/

The Repeat Mom (Excerpt) http://Thethreepeatmom.blogspot.com

March 8^th

Touch My Spine Book Reviews (Excerpt) http://www.touchmyspinebookreviews.com

Banshee Irish Horror Blog (Review) http://www.bansheeirishhorrorblog.com/

March 9^th

Didi Oviatt (Review) https://www.didioviatt.wordpress.com

Splashes into Books (Excerpt) http://www.splashesintobooks.wordpress.com

Kendall Reviews (Interview & Excerpt) http://www.kendallreviews.com/

Book Review: All the Beautiful Girls by Elizabeth J. Church~DNF

March 7, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆40 Comments

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.

I vow to finish every book that I receive because when a publishing company or an author sends me an advanced copy they are giving me a golden opportunity. I am given the opportunity to read a book that would have costs me a good bit of money for free and they could have given the opportunity to another blogger. I have never reviewed a book as a DNF and stand by my standards to do everything in my power to not have to do this again. I also wanted to let the readers know ahead of time that I did not get past the first 2 chapters so I can’t give you the best of knowledge of this story. I only did not finish because of triggers. The writing and word building was great but I could not get past the triggers. I feel I need to post my review not only to share my honest opinion but to give some a warning because the triggers for me caused panic. I also want to genuinely apologize to the publisher and author for not finishing this story. It had nothing to do with your writing or this book. My review is simply because of my own personal triggers.

Title: All The Beautiful Girls

Author: Elizabeth J. Church

Categories & Genre:

A powerful novel about a gutsy showgirl who tries to conquer her past amongst the glamour of 1960s Las Vegas–and finds unexpected fortune, friendship, and love.

It was unimaginable. When she was eight years old, Lily Decker somehow survived the auto accident that killed her parents and sister, but neither her emotionally distant aunt nor her all-too-attentive uncle could ease her grief. Dancing proves to be Lily’s only solace, and eventually, she receives a “scholarship” to a local dance academy–courtesy of a mysterious benefactor.

Grown and ready to leave home for good, Lily changes her name to Ruby Wilde and heads to Las Vegas to be a troupe dancer, but her sensual beauty and voluptuous figure land her work instead as a showgirl performing everywhere from Les Folies Bergere at the Tropicana to the Stardust’s Lido de Paris. Wearing costumes dripping with feathers and rhinestones, five-inch heels, and sky-high headdresses, Ruby may have all the looks of a Sin City success story, but she still must learn to navigate the world of men–and figure out what real love looks like.

With her uncanny knack for understanding the hidden lives of women, Elizabeth J. Church captures both the iconic extravagance of an era and the bravery of a young woman who dances through her sadness to find connection, freedom, and, most important, herself.

I am sorry but I had to DNF this book not because it was bad but because there were some really big triggers for me. Honestly, I can’t sleep tonight because the scenes keep running through my head. I usually can handle talk about these triggers but it went to a detail that caused me to hyperventilate. This is totally just a me thing. I know that many others love this book and it’s highly recommended. The triggers were just way too intense for me to sit through. There are triggers of an animal death and intense childhood abuse scenes. I’m sure this book was great and many others have enjoyed it, I just can’t finish it because of some recent trauma that I have experienced. I don’t know how to rate this story because I couldn’t get past the first chapters without a panic attack but it was well written and think many will enjoy so my lack of stars is not personally against the book it is because I don’t feel I can rate something properly that I didn’t read. I’m sorry that I haven’t been active today or last night. I just didn’t realize the possible effects that a book could have on you this extent. If you’re not triggered by these events than I would suggest you checking it out for yourself.
I want to thank the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.

Thanks for reading my post guys! I

will be back to normal Dani soon! I love

your faces!!!!!

Book Review: Driftwood Cove by Debbie Mason

March 7, 2018March 7, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆9 Comments

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an EARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all opinions expressed are my own.

Title: Driftwood Cove

Author: Debbie Mason

Publication: *~Available Now~*

Categories & Genre:

Add to Goodreads:

TWO STORIES IN ONE: AN ALL-NEW DEBBIE MASON NOVEL PLUS A FAIRYTALE BRIDE NOVELLA BY USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR HOPE RAMSAY

“Heartfelt and delightful!” -RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author

USA Today bestselling author Debbie Mason welcomes readers to Harmony Harbor, a charming New England town that’s full of heart!

True love deserves a second chance….
FBI agent Michael Gallagher never dreamed that his job would bring him back to his hometown of Harmony Harbor. Or that one of his best leads would be the woman he once loved. Hell, the woman he still loves. He regrets the way they ended, and he’d do anything to make things right with her now. But first he needs to regain her trust…

Shay Angel wants to leave the past behind her. And that includes Michael Gallagher, the only man she ever let close enough to break her heart. But she needs his help to find her uncle and clear his name. She won’t hesitate to risk everything to save her family, but will she dare to risk her heart all over again?

Bonus story “A Fairytale Bride” by Hope Ramsay!
When a handsome stranger wanders into her bookstore one day, Melissa Portman begins to wonder if she’s finally found her own happily-ever-after.

Driftwood Cove by Debbie Mason was everything I was looking for in a story plus more! From the first few pages, I was sucked in with the suspense and characterization. Shay Angel was an incredible heroine that captured my heart with her kick-ass personality and hard shell that covered a big heart deep down. From the beginning, I fell in love with Shay’s badass exterior, how strong she was and her sarcastic personality. I also just adored her partner in crime Cherry Blossom! Cherry is an ex stripper who carries around her double Ds and her hilarious attitude. Reading Shay and Cherry together had me laugh out loud so many times that I couldn’t even count! Cherry and Shay definitely use the fact that Cherry was a stripper to their advantage.

One of the reasons it took me a little while to put this review up was because I kept re-reading scenes over and over because of the humor, romance and suspense! Throughout the whole story, I was rooting for Michael and Shay to have a HEA! The relationship between the once lovers was so deep and you could really see the intensity, love and pain that they had between them. The characterization in this story was first class. I loved all the quirky characters and became intensely invested in them. I could relate to Shay also in so many ways.

I may not be a badass anymore because of “the mom life” but loved seeing how Shay reinvented herself. From losing her sisters to the “system” to becoming a career con at an early age, you were able to see her as a strong woman who fought ever part of her being to be a better person. Even though she was scared to form attachments because of her past Shay always did whatever it took for the ones she loved regardless of the costs. I know as a broken child that I too went through a hard time as a teenager and young adult to make ends meet. You feel that you are meant to live the life of hard knocks and you end up doing the undesirable and illegal to make it by but like with Shay’s story, it’s what we do with our mistakes and pain that defines us.

I would category this story more as a romantic suspense filled with humor but was also surprised that there were bits of paranormal elements in this novel as well. This was a story filled with action, suspense, love, laughs, heart wrenching moments and sexy moments! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good suspense or a second chance romance! This is the 5th novel in the Harmony Harbor book series but each of the novels feature different characters so they can easily be read on a standalone basis. After reading Driftwood Cove, I am anxiously hoping I get a chance to read the previous books in this series! I didn’t even realize it was part of a series when reading this novel because the character’s backgrounds were descriptive enough and I didn’t feel like I was missing out while reading through the plot. I don’t think a year can come by soon enough when the next in this series comes out! Hands down, this is one of the best stories that I have read in awhile. This book is Dani-approved!

This novel also includes A Fairytale Bride Novella by Hope Ramsay. I would have to give this novella a 5 Star/Kitty rating. This was a super sweet story that drug me into the premise by involving a flame that kindles at a used bookstore. I loved Melissa and Jeff’s characterization. The romance between them was super cute and this was the perfect novella to go along with Driftwood Cove. I absolutely LOVED both stories and would recommend them to all!

ARC Book Review: People Like Us by Dana Mele

March 6, 2018April 9, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆34 Comments

I would like to give many thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group for providing me with an ARC of People Like Us in exchange for an honest review for The People Like Us Blog Tour. I appreciate this opportunity and all opinions expressed are my own.

Title: People Like Us

Author: Dana Mele

Page Count: 384 Pages

Publication Date: February 27th, 2018 *Available Now*

Genre & Categories:

Add to Goodreads:

Kay Donovan may have skeletons in her closet, but the past is past, and she’s reinvented herself entirely. Now she’s a star soccer player whose group of gorgeous friends run their private school with effortless popularity and acerbic wit. But when a girl’s body is found in the lake, Kay’s carefully constructed life begins to topple.

The dead girl has left Kay a computer-coded scavenger hunt, which, as it unravels, begins to implicate suspect after suspect, until Kay herself is in the crosshairs of a murder investigation. But if Kay’s finally backed into a corner, she’ll do what it takes to survive. Because at Bates Academy, the truth is something you make…not something that happened.

Wow, what a fantastic psychological thriller that is hands down a five star read! Dana Mele brings drama, mystery and revenge to the table in a fashion that will have you begging for more! Going into this book, I was a little hesitant because I thought this would be just another Pretty Little Liars. I was so wrong!

This story had a lot of LGBTQ representation that I just LOVED! The main character(Kay) was bisexual. Kay’s best friend Brie was a lesbian and there was plenty of other characters that were part of the LGBTQ community. As a pansexual woman, I was over the moon about this and I became deeply invested in the characters. I found myself flipping pages as fast as possible while rooting for Kay. Kay started off as another mean girl but as you read this story you start to see who Kay is underneath all the layers that she hides herself in. As the reader, you see a remarkable change in Kay that left me no choice but to love her.

The plot of this story was fast paced but descriptive. Sometimes it was brutally descriptive. People Like Us shows you the vicious world of overprivileged young girls who are just plain bullies.

I loved the characterization, the plot, and everything about this story. Dana Mele created one intense work of art that quickly rose to one of my top favorite books of all time! If you would love a fun teen drama with a chilling murder mystery, look no further because People Like Us is the book for you!!!

Dana Mele is a Pushcart-nominated writer and a work at home mother. A graduate of Wellesley College, she is a former actor, lawyer, musician, and briefly, associate producer. She prefers tea to coffee, snow to sand, and stars to sunshine, and she lives in the Catskills with her husband and toddler.

WEEK ONE

February 19 – Lindseyybooks – Review

February 20 – Bibliobakes – Review

February 21 – Bookish Bug – Review + Creative Instagram Picture

February 22 – Twinning for Books – Review

February 23 – The Bookish Crypt – Review

WEEK TWO

February 26 – Brooke Reports – Review

February 27 – Bookish Delights – Review

February 28 – Here’s to Happy Endings – Review + Styleboard

March 1 – Never Too Many To Read – Character/Suspect Profile

March 2 – Dauntless Books and Penguins – Review

WEEK THREE

March 6 – Touch My Spine Book Reviews – Review

March 7 – The Night Owl Book Blog – Review

– The Night Owl Book Blog – Review

March 8 – A Simple Taste of Reading – Review

– A Simple Taste of Reading – Review

March 9 – Books.Tea.Quotes – Review + Instagram Picture

– Books.Tea.Quotes – Review + Instagram Picture

~ARC Book Review: Color Me Murder by Krista Davis~

March 3, 2018April 9, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆43 Comments

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Title: Color Me Murder
Author: Krista Davis
Genre:

The book started with this quote:

Sometimes you have to see people as a crayon.

They may not be your favorite color, but

you need them to complete the picture.

-Ritu Ghatourey

By day, Florrie Fox manages Color Me Read bookstore in Georgetown, Washington D.C. By night, she creates her own intricately detailed coloring books for adults, filling the pages with objects that catch her eye. There’s plenty of inspiration in her new apartment—a beautiful carriage house belonging to Professor John Maxwell, Florrie’s boss. He offers the property to Florrie rent-free with one condition—she must move in immediately to prevent his covetous sister and nephew from trying to claim it.

When the professor’s nephew, Delbert, arrives, he proves just as sketchy as Florrie feared. But the following morning, Delbert has vanished. It’s not until she visits the third floor of the store that Florrie makes a tragic discovery—there’s a trap door in the landing, and a dead Delbert inside. The esteemed Professor Maxwell is an obvious suspect, but Florrie is certain this case isn’t so black and white. Doodling clues, she begins to consider other colorful characters on the scene, all with a motive for murder. With a killer drawing closer, Florrie will need to think outside the lines . . . before death makes his mark again.

Wow, what a book! This novel had me hooked from the first few pages with the beautiful descriptions of the beautiful book store, Color Me Read. Of course as a reader, I am drawn to books that involve books and this book was not the exception! When I first received this ARC from Kensington, I was over the moon not only did the story sound captivating but the cover was amazing!!! Not only did it have a beautiful and intricate design wrapped around the cover, you could customize it by coloring it anyway you wanted!!! Woot!

I fell in love with the characters right away with this book! Florrie was such a relatable character. She loved others to a fault, was bookish, was open-minded and was an animal lover. Her passion and loyalty to her job as manager at Color Me Read, gave Florrie the drive to be a great amateur sleuth. I loved that her knowledge from detecting and figuring out what is what came strictly from her being a bookworm. I always knew reading too many mysteries could benefit me in a adventurous way. I loved Florrie’s interactions with the fellow customers, coworkers and a local homeless man, Jim. She always looked out for everyone else and tried to see the best in them.

The mystery of this story was well thought out. I thought for sure I had things figured out early on but of course I was wrong. The plot had great descriptions of the settings and the characterizations but still had a steady pace that was perfect for the outline of this story. Overall, this was hands down one of the best cozies I have read in awhile. This book was so much fun but it also had all the details that us bookworms love. I felt like I was in the middle of the book with Florrie and think I enjoyed her adventure and new home way too much! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good cozy and/or anyone who loves to read books that involve books. I thought it was a very unique take to have Coloring Book Artist/Book Store Manager as our amateur sleuth. This is the first book I have read by Krista Davis but it surely won’t be my last!

Krista Davis lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She resided in Northern Virginia for many years and lived for a time in Old Town, Alexandria.

She really does have a gregarious Ocicat named Mochie who can open cabinets and leap to amazing heights. Her dogs, including a Golden Retriever who isn’t golden and won’t retrieve, consider Krista’s writing career a convenient second job that allows her to be available for her primary job as door opener, canine cuisine chef, and walking assistant.

Krista’s fascination with mysteries was fueled by Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, and Agatha Christie. Like her protagonist, Sophie Winston, Krista loves to entertain friends and family, but would just as soon leave cleaning to someone else.

ARC Book Review: The Golden Hour by M.K. Graff

March 1, 2018Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆21 Comments

I would like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

U.S. Amazon Link / U.K. Amazon Link

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From the award-winning author of the Nora Tierney Mysteries comes her most chilling novel to date, one author Elly Griffiths of the Ruth Galloway Mysteries notes: “Nora Tierney tackles her most complex and catpviating mystery yet.” Nora Tierney can’t shake the feeling she has a stalker. While she’s house hunting in Oxord, her partner, DI Declan Barnes, untagles the murder of an art conservator. When these situations collide, Nora find herself fighting to save her child and the family she’s trying to create.

Ausma Khan, author of Among the Ruins and The Unquiet Dead praises THE GOLDEN HOUR: “One of the best things about Marni Graff’s latest Nora Tierney Mystery is sthe down-to-earth depiction of family life coupled with the tightly paced build of a twisty, time-honored puzzle. A meditation on love, loss and motherhood, THE GOLDEN HOUR blends touchingly real domesticity with tongue-in-cheek humor, as the backdrop to a tale of art theft, germ warfare, and international conspiracy. The reflections of a reprehensivle villain on the shortcomings of the British add just the right note of comedy to these otherwise weighty concerns. Added to this is a wonderful sense of place–Bath, Brighton, and Oxford are vividly rendered and charmingly true to life. Come for the crackling mystery, stay for the steady companionship of debonair detective Declan Barnes and feisty heroine, Nora Tierney, who offers warmth and smarts in equal measure.”

Sarah Ward, author the DC Childs Mysteries, adds,”THE GOLDEN HOUR is a compulsive read with a narrative that both charms and surprises. I love Nora Tierney and can’t wait to see what happens next.”

I LOVED this book! I was a little bit hesitant by reading it because it was fourth in a series but this book can be easily read as a standalone and was highly enjoyable! I loved all the characters and enjoyed the twists! The plot flowed smoothly, descriptive yet fast paced. I loved the English setting and was captivated by the descriptions.

This is the first book that I have read by this author but it surely won’t be the last! I think many would enjoy this mystery! I know I gobbled it up within a few sittings!

Marni Graff is the award-winning author of The Nora Tierney English Mysteries and The Trudy Genova Manhattan Mysteries. Her first novel, THE BLUE VIRGIN, won First Place for British Cozy in the Mystery and Mayhem Awards from Chanticleer Media. Her newest, THE GOLDEN HOUR, takes Nora to Brighton, Cornwall and Bath, where a stalker turns deadly serious in Nora’s life just as her partner investigates the murder or an art conservator. These two threads are interwoven frame the new book, one author Ausma Khan calls “. . . a meditation on love, loss and motherhood, THE GOLDEN HOUR blends touchingly real domesticity with tongue-in-cheek humor, as the backdrop to a tale of art theft, germ warfare, and international conspiracy.”

Set in the UK, Graff’s English series follows an American children’s book writer as she manages to involve herself in police investigations. THE BLUE VIRGIN is set in Oxford, that hallowed mix of town and gown. THE GREEN REMAINS takes Nora to England’s glorious Lake District and also won Best British Cozy from Chanticleer Media. Book 3 in the series, THE SCARLET WENCH, debuted May 2014 is shortlisted for the same award. All three books are in Kindle editions and now on Audible listening books, too. Here’s what Editing Pen and Publishing had to say about the series:

” . . . Graff’s clean, uncluttered style is smooth and polished, and there are no irrelevant details or conversations. . . I loved every page of all three books.”
Read the entire review here
http://www.editingpenandpublishing.com/nora-tierney-series/ …

Graff debuted the first of The Trudy Genova Manhattan Mysteries in 2016. DEATH UNSCRIPTED follows nurse Trudy Genova, who works as a medical consultant for a NY movie studio. Based on Graff’s favorite nursing job when she lived in NY, Trudy Genova considers herself lucky to have such a great job without emergencies. That is, until the actor whose been annoying her lately suddenly dies in the middle of taping–but not before pointing his finger accusingly at Trudy. This is the book P D James insisted Graff write, and it is dedicated to her.

A native New Yorker now living in rural North Carolina, Graff has written essays, interviews, poetry, and screenplays. She is co-author of WRITING IN A CHANGING WORLD, her writing group’s primer on finding your own critique group and providing useful feedback.

A member of Sisters in Crime, Graff is Managing Editor of the curated hybrid press Bridle Path Press.

You can find more about the author and her works on her WordPress site @ https://auntiemwrites.com/about/

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