Take a photo of a barcode or cover
amandasbookreview's Reviews (966)
"This medical thriller is terrifying and brings genuine concern for the main characters!"
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/september/viewer/desktop/#page/98
Check out the full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/september/viewer/desktop/#page/98
Thank you, Jess Michaels, NetGalley, and The Passionate Pen for the opportunity to read this book!
Mismatched Under the Mistletoe by Jess Michaels is a historical romance perfect for the holiday season. The author writes such a sweet dedication hoping that this book will help raise the reader’s spirits after this dreadful year. So I was sold immediately. We all need a little joy this holiday season. John Cavendish has been in love with Emily Rutledge for 9 years. However, she was married to his best friend. He did what is best and hid his feelings and supported his best friend and his wife…until his best friend died. John and Emily leaned on each other in their grief and became each other’s best friends. Now that it has been 5 years, the intense grief has passed and Emily decides to host a Christmas party to matchmake some of her friends…but it is her heart that is at risk, not her friends.
This is just what is needed for this Christmas season! It has a little bit of hope, love, friendship, and spice! Cav and Emily have such a beautiful relationship. But I have always had a weakness for a best friends to lovers trope. Cav is said to a rake but I saw no evidence of that. Emily is his world. He would move heaven and earth for her. The most touching part is that he gives her time. In so many books that I have read, the men want an answer immediately. He never pressures her into a situation that makes her uncomfortable. It is absolutely touching. Speaking of touching…their chemistry is off the charts.
The book is roughly 170 pages, so it is short and sweet. However, I do wish that we got some more details about the other guests and the matchmaking. They are only in the background of the story. I was hoping for at least one match! BUT! I do love that one of the characters is LGBTQ+ and that scene is both made me so happy but also broke my heart at the same time. I am always happy to see representation, maybe this character can star in their own story?
Overall, I read this book in just a few hours and loved it from start to finish! So I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars!
Mismatched Under the Mistletoe by Jess Michaels is a historical romance perfect for the holiday season. The author writes such a sweet dedication hoping that this book will help raise the reader’s spirits after this dreadful year. So I was sold immediately. We all need a little joy this holiday season. John Cavendish has been in love with Emily Rutledge for 9 years. However, she was married to his best friend. He did what is best and hid his feelings and supported his best friend and his wife…until his best friend died. John and Emily leaned on each other in their grief and became each other’s best friends. Now that it has been 5 years, the intense grief has passed and Emily decides to host a Christmas party to matchmake some of her friends…but it is her heart that is at risk, not her friends.
This is just what is needed for this Christmas season! It has a little bit of hope, love, friendship, and spice! Cav and Emily have such a beautiful relationship. But I have always had a weakness for a best friends to lovers trope. Cav is said to a rake but I saw no evidence of that. Emily is his world. He would move heaven and earth for her. The most touching part is that he gives her time. In so many books that I have read, the men want an answer immediately. He never pressures her into a situation that makes her uncomfortable. It is absolutely touching. Speaking of touching…their chemistry is off the charts.
The book is roughly 170 pages, so it is short and sweet. However, I do wish that we got some more details about the other guests and the matchmaking. They are only in the background of the story. I was hoping for at least one match! BUT! I do love that one of the characters is LGBTQ+ and that scene is both made me so happy but also broke my heart at the same time. I am always happy to see representation, maybe this character can star in their own story?
Overall, I read this book in just a few hours and loved it from start to finish! So I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars!
Thank you Harper Perennial for the opportunity to read this collection!
It is not often when you come across a collection of poems that just speak to you. What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer is a collection of poems broken up into three parts. Part one is being a woman. Part two is being a wife. Part three is being a mother. While these poems really speak to women, they are for everyone. It can be an experience in the minds of women.
I would read a few poems every day and would end up thinking about them until I read more the next day. This is one of those collections that will stay with you.
In part one, one of the favorites is: Nothing Tastes As Good As Skinny Feels
“have you ever tasted the cool swill of
freedom? The consuming rush of a
quiet, radical love…”
NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY FEELS
My favorite from the second part is: For The Advice Cards At Bridal Showers
“This is not a happy ending. This is not a fairy tale. This is the beginning
of a life you haven’t met.”
FOR THE ADVICE CARDS AT BRIDAL SHOWERS
And finally, in the third part: Transfiguration
“I dreamt myself into a mother,
but when I became her, I had to
dream her back into a woman”
TRANSFIGURATION
This collection gets all the stars. I couldn’t recommend it enough!
It is not often when you come across a collection of poems that just speak to you. What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer is a collection of poems broken up into three parts. Part one is being a woman. Part two is being a wife. Part three is being a mother. While these poems really speak to women, they are for everyone. It can be an experience in the minds of women.
I would read a few poems every day and would end up thinking about them until I read more the next day. This is one of those collections that will stay with you.
In part one, one of the favorites is: Nothing Tastes As Good As Skinny Feels
“have you ever tasted the cool swill of
freedom? The consuming rush of a
quiet, radical love…”
NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY FEELS
My favorite from the second part is: For The Advice Cards At Bridal Showers
“This is not a happy ending. This is not a fairy tale. This is the beginning
of a life you haven’t met.”
FOR THE ADVICE CARDS AT BRIDAL SHOWERS
And finally, in the third part: Transfiguration
“I dreamt myself into a mother,
but when I became her, I had to
dream her back into a woman”
TRANSFIGURATION
This collection gets all the stars. I couldn’t recommend it enough!
Thank you, Julie Klassen, Bethany House, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!
I always jump at the opportunity to read anything by Julie Klassen. A Castaway on Cornwall is definitely one of my most anticipated reads for this year. Laura Callaway is an orphan living with extended family in Cornwall but does not feel like she belongs. She spends most of her time walking the beach collecting items from shipwrecks. She does her best to identify the owners to bring them peace. Until one day, she finds a man on the shore, he is alive, but only just. Laura saves him. However, he has an accent and his injuries are quite suspicious. He doesn’t seem like he is dangerous but he is definitely not telling her the truth about who he is…
This is an enchanting novel set in the backdrop of the aftermath of the French Revolution. England and France are at war. Everyone is eyed with suspicion. I absolutely love the historical detail even though it is not the highlight of the novel. The highlight is the characters, specifically Laura and Alexander. Both are castaways in their own way. It only makes sense that they would connect. I love Laura’s development as she discovers what home truly is!
Even though this novel has a pretty slow start, it does pick up. There is actually quite a bit of suspense! In fact, there are a few twists and unpredictable endings. I was absolutely shocked with one of the plot points, so it will definitely keep readers on their toes. However, with all Julie Klassen’s novels, the description is absolutely beautiful! I have even added a visit to Cornwall to my travel bucket list…after COVID, of course. Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. This book releases tomorrow, December 1st, 2021!
I always jump at the opportunity to read anything by Julie Klassen. A Castaway on Cornwall is definitely one of my most anticipated reads for this year. Laura Callaway is an orphan living with extended family in Cornwall but does not feel like she belongs. She spends most of her time walking the beach collecting items from shipwrecks. She does her best to identify the owners to bring them peace. Until one day, she finds a man on the shore, he is alive, but only just. Laura saves him. However, he has an accent and his injuries are quite suspicious. He doesn’t seem like he is dangerous but he is definitely not telling her the truth about who he is…
This is an enchanting novel set in the backdrop of the aftermath of the French Revolution. England and France are at war. Everyone is eyed with suspicion. I absolutely love the historical detail even though it is not the highlight of the novel. The highlight is the characters, specifically Laura and Alexander. Both are castaways in their own way. It only makes sense that they would connect. I love Laura’s development as she discovers what home truly is!
Even though this novel has a pretty slow start, it does pick up. There is actually quite a bit of suspense! In fact, there are a few twists and unpredictable endings. I was absolutely shocked with one of the plot points, so it will definitely keep readers on their toes. However, with all Julie Klassen’s novels, the description is absolutely beautiful! I have even added a visit to Cornwall to my travel bucket list…after COVID, of course. Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. This book releases tomorrow, December 1st, 2021!
A Dream of Ebony and White by Melanie Cellier is the fourth book in the Beyond the Four Kingdoms series and a retelling of Snow White. Snow just lost her father and consumed with grief, that is, if she were allowed to grieve. Her stepmother is cruel and can’t be trusted and Snow isn’t well versed in politics or how to run a kingdom. Alexander is her dearest friend and a royal huntsman. He hears of a plan to kill Snow, so he whisks her off to the forest. There she meets seven children who let her stay and help her learn about the forest and survival. But will it be enough to take on her stepmother?
Snow White is not my favorite fairytale, so I was not expecting to be thrilled with this retelling. Boy, was I wrong! I LOVED this version! There is so much complexity to Snow. She is a young girl, discovering herself, her emotions, and not having the courage to take on her stepmother consumes her. How can she possibly be worthy or good enough to take over the thrown? Well, with a little help from Alexander and the 7 children. She grows. She grows stronger and learns more about her people and how to lead them.
Also, I love the change from dwarves to children. These kids are orphans and have had to survive on their own. They are able to show her the skills she will need to serve her people. But my absolute favorite part in this whole story… is her finding family where she thought all was lost. This discovery is so tender that it brought tears to my eyes. (You will have to read it to see!) And as always, Esther Wane is phenomenal!
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book! I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
Snow White is not my favorite fairytale, so I was not expecting to be thrilled with this retelling. Boy, was I wrong! I LOVED this version! There is so much complexity to Snow. She is a young girl, discovering herself, her emotions, and not having the courage to take on her stepmother consumes her. How can she possibly be worthy or good enough to take over the thrown? Well, with a little help from Alexander and the 7 children. She grows. She grows stronger and learns more about her people and how to lead them.
Also, I love the change from dwarves to children. These kids are orphans and have had to survive on their own. They are able to show her the skills she will need to serve her people. But my absolute favorite part in this whole story… is her finding family where she thought all was lost. This discovery is so tender that it brought tears to my eyes. (You will have to read it to see!) And as always, Esther Wane is phenomenal!
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book! I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
"This steamy romance that brings two broken people together is difficult to put down!"
Check out the rest of my review at:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/february/viewer/desktop/#page/84
Check out the rest of my review at:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/2019/february/viewer/desktop/#page/84
A Captive of Wing and Feather by Melanie Cellier is the fifth book in the Beyond the Four Kingdoms and a retelling of Swan Lake. Princess Adelaide is the sister of Prince Dominic who disappeared when his kingdom was cursed. She found safety in a place far away and has even made friends. Until the Lord of her new home puts her under a curse. But she manages just fine. That is until an old childhood comes to town and puts everything at risk. Prince Gabriel is a troublemaker. Not only that, he believes that Adelaide’s curse may be linked to the darkness that is spreading in his country. In a way, they both need each other more than they could ever predict.
I love Swan Lake! Melanie Cellier does a wonderful job at capturing the aesthetic–it is enchanting and dark all at the same time. Plus I have been dying to know what happened to Adelaide ever since I read A Tale of Beauty and the Beast. Adelaide is a dream! For a fictional character, under a curse, she is so relatable. She is haunted by her past, betrayed by her family. She craves love and family but cannot trust anyone, except a small few. But she definitely can’t trust anyone with her heart. But Gabriel is so charming and brazen. They are opposites but are made for each other.
This story moves at a wonderful pace. Adelaide’s curse is mysterious, so it takes a while to see the full nature of it unfold. However, the twists and turns in this retelling will keep readers on their toes. One of my favorite aspects is how she integrated the swans into the story.
As always, Esther Wane is marvelous as the narrator!–Also just look at that cover!!! If that isn’t enough to reel you in, then I don’t know what will! I rate this installment 5 out of 5 stars!
I love Swan Lake! Melanie Cellier does a wonderful job at capturing the aesthetic–it is enchanting and dark all at the same time. Plus I have been dying to know what happened to Adelaide ever since I read A Tale of Beauty and the Beast. Adelaide is a dream! For a fictional character, under a curse, she is so relatable. She is haunted by her past, betrayed by her family. She craves love and family but cannot trust anyone, except a small few. But she definitely can’t trust anyone with her heart. But Gabriel is so charming and brazen. They are opposites but are made for each other.
This story moves at a wonderful pace. Adelaide’s curse is mysterious, so it takes a while to see the full nature of it unfold. However, the twists and turns in this retelling will keep readers on their toes. One of my favorite aspects is how she integrated the swans into the story.
As always, Esther Wane is marvelous as the narrator!–Also just look at that cover!!! If that isn’t enough to reel you in, then I don’t know what will! I rate this installment 5 out of 5 stars!
“I learned that the joy and the fear are the exact same things, the one merely transformed into the other by action…”
THE WINTER KING
Tales of King Arthur have been told for over a thousand years. Everyone knows the tale. This last summer I tackled as many King Arthur stories as possible. All of them had an element of fantasy in them. Bernard Cornwell’s The Winter King takes on a more historical approach. The tale is told by Derfel, a man who served under Arthur. He desperately wants to write the truth and not the romance and tall tales that have spread over time. He begins with the reign of Uther after the Romans have abandoned Britain, Merlin has vanished, and Uther has banished Arthur for he blames him for his son’s death. Finally, he gets his heir, Mordred. When Uther dies, Mordred is just a baby. So allies come together to protect the future king. Arthur, being the strongest warrior takes the lead but swears to see Mordred to the throne. But lust and political intrigue will ignite war…
No one and I mean no one can write battles and historical fiction like Bernard Cornwell. The research he puts into his novels is always fantastic. He takes us to the time of Britain when tribes were at war and fighting the Saxons and I was absolutely immersed. Not only does he bring to life the unforgettable characters like Arthur, Merlin, and Mordred, we also get to see real historical figures like Agricola. But the best part is the political intrigue of the time. The Romans brought with them Christianity, but many people still follow the Old Ways. These religious differences affect politics, just like they do today.
Now, Arthur is pretty typical. He is honest, courageous, and his honor means a great deal to him. Merlin is batty and wise. Then, there are the women of the story. Morgana, Nimue, and Guinevere are the most fascinating characters in the story. Every woman in the story makes their life decisions for survival. Nimue is a force! I went back and forth with Guinevere. At one moment, I loved her, and then the next, I hated her. She could be so superficial. Many may hate her for how conniving she could be, but what choice did she really have? The women who went along with what they were told to do ended up miserable, tortured and killed. She went after what she wanted, to be Queen, yes, but also to survive and be comfortable in life. I couldn’t really blame her for that. I felt that the women were the true stars of this first installment. I can’t wait to see what book two, Enemy of God, and book three, Excalibur hold! This book gets 5 out of 5 stars. Nothing less for Bernard Cornwell!
THE WINTER KING
Tales of King Arthur have been told for over a thousand years. Everyone knows the tale. This last summer I tackled as many King Arthur stories as possible. All of them had an element of fantasy in them. Bernard Cornwell’s The Winter King takes on a more historical approach. The tale is told by Derfel, a man who served under Arthur. He desperately wants to write the truth and not the romance and tall tales that have spread over time. He begins with the reign of Uther after the Romans have abandoned Britain, Merlin has vanished, and Uther has banished Arthur for he blames him for his son’s death. Finally, he gets his heir, Mordred. When Uther dies, Mordred is just a baby. So allies come together to protect the future king. Arthur, being the strongest warrior takes the lead but swears to see Mordred to the throne. But lust and political intrigue will ignite war…
No one and I mean no one can write battles and historical fiction like Bernard Cornwell. The research he puts into his novels is always fantastic. He takes us to the time of Britain when tribes were at war and fighting the Saxons and I was absolutely immersed. Not only does he bring to life the unforgettable characters like Arthur, Merlin, and Mordred, we also get to see real historical figures like Agricola. But the best part is the political intrigue of the time. The Romans brought with them Christianity, but many people still follow the Old Ways. These religious differences affect politics, just like they do today.
Now, Arthur is pretty typical. He is honest, courageous, and his honor means a great deal to him. Merlin is batty and wise. Then, there are the women of the story. Morgana, Nimue, and Guinevere are the most fascinating characters in the story. Every woman in the story makes their life decisions for survival. Nimue is a force! I went back and forth with Guinevere. At one moment, I loved her, and then the next, I hated her. She could be so superficial. Many may hate her for how conniving she could be, but what choice did she really have? The women who went along with what they were told to do ended up miserable, tortured and killed. She went after what she wanted, to be Queen, yes, but also to survive and be comfortable in life. I couldn’t really blame her for that. I felt that the women were the true stars of this first installment. I can’t wait to see what book two, Enemy of God, and book three, Excalibur hold! This book gets 5 out of 5 stars. Nothing less for Bernard Cornwell!
A Princess of Wind and Wave by Melanie Cellier is the sixth book in the Beyond the Four Kingdoms and a retelling of the Little Mermaid. This series is wrapped up with Isla, a mermaid princess. Her people and island were sent to the bottom of the ocean for protection long ago. Now they are subjected to quakes and Isla just knows it means danger. However, no one believes her. Her only option is to seek help above the surface to see if evil still lurks there. She can’t believe that the darkness is there because she saw goodness in a boy she saved in a storm. When she goes to the surface, she meets the boy from all those years ago. But he is obsessed with the girl who saved him, but he doesn’t know that she is that girl. Can she save her people and her heart from heartbreak?
Those who love The Little Mermaid will adore this charming retelling with a twist. Although this is one of those books where the supporting characters are better than the main characters. While Isla is strong and courageous…she is also naive and can be a bit childish. Some of the issues that occur in this book are because she lashed out because her feelings are hurt. However, the pace is nonstop and the resolve is unpredictable!
But I can’t forget to mention, Esther Wane, the narrator who has also done a fabulous job with the series. She captured every personality of every princess and heroine!
In all, this is a lovely conclusion to the series! All the stories could be read as standalone but are all connected beautifully. The ending is so so special, but it is difficult to let go of all the characters! This is a spinoff series and I am currently reading the Four Kingdoms series, so hopefully, that will help with the book hangover I am having now. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars but the whole series 5 out of 5 stars!
Those who love The Little Mermaid will adore this charming retelling with a twist. Although this is one of those books where the supporting characters are better than the main characters. While Isla is strong and courageous…she is also naive and can be a bit childish. Some of the issues that occur in this book are because she lashed out because her feelings are hurt. However, the pace is nonstop and the resolve is unpredictable!
But I can’t forget to mention, Esther Wane, the narrator who has also done a fabulous job with the series. She captured every personality of every princess and heroine!
In all, this is a lovely conclusion to the series! All the stories could be read as standalone but are all connected beautifully. The ending is so so special, but it is difficult to let go of all the characters! This is a spinoff series and I am currently reading the Four Kingdoms series, so hopefully, that will help with the book hangover I am having now. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars but the whole series 5 out of 5 stars!