Review: The Girl in the Picture by Kerry Barrett

The Girl in the Picture

By: Kerry Barrett

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Length: 384 pages

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Two women. One house. Centuries of secrets

East Sussex Coast, 1855 

Violet Hargreaves is the lonely daughter of a widowed industrialist, and an aspiring Pre-Raphaelite painter. One day, the naïve eighteen-year-old meets Edwin; a mysterious and handsome man on the beach, who promises her a world beyond the small costal village she’s trapped in. But after ignoring warning about Edwin, a chain of terrible events begins to unfold for Violet…

East Sussex Coast, 2016 

For thriller-writer Ella Daniels, the house on the cliff is the perfect place to overcome writer’s block, where she decides to move with her small family. But there’s a strange atmosphere that settles once they move in – and rumours of historical murders next door begin to emerge. One night, Ella uncovers a portrait of a beautiful young girl named Violet Hargreaves, who went missing at the same time as the horrific crimes, and Ella becomes determined to find out what happened there 160 years ago. And in trying to lay Violet’s ghost to rest, Ella must face ghosts of her own...

This haunting timeslip tale is perfect for fans of Kate Riordan, Tracy Rees, Kate Morton and Lucinda Riley.

Review:

Rating:

***Caution May Contain Spoilers***

So I recently joined a small online book club, this book was our very first read and I must say it was an excellent start. Kerry Barrett is a phenomenal author, weaving the past with the present. She wove these two women's lives together perfectly. I would not past up the opportunity to read another one of her books. 

The story begins with Ella and her family moving into a new home near the coat of Sussex. Ella is a cautious young mother, and devoted daughter, worried about disappointing those she loves. At first, her new home has her on edge, questioning her choice to uproot her family from their home in London. Then one day while in town she stumbles upon the mysterious disappearance of young Violet Hargreaves. 

I loved the way Kerry Barrett weaved these two women's lives together, both young girls with suppressed passions; one for painting, the other for writing. Both loyal daughters, never wanting to disappoint their fathers. It almost had you wondering, could they be related somehow?

I loved going back and forth between past and present, hearing Violet's story and trying to solve the mystery right along side Ella. Wondering did Violet survive the struggles with Mr. Forrest, her mentor and lover? Or did she meet a more violent end? Did she run away and pursue her dream of becoming one of the first female artists to join the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood?

Along with the remarkable writing and phenomenal storytelling, there was the history. Kerry Barrett did an amazing job incorporating some history regarding Pre-Raphaelites and their art. After finishing the book many of us in the book club googled PRB and found that much of the book was historically accurate, from the will known artists to the scandals between these artists and their sponsors; which only made the book more interesting. You can tell Kerry really did her research in order to bring the story to life. 

This book was a very fun read and like I said before I would not hesitant to pick up another one of Kerry Barrett's books. The Girl in the Picture is a fast read and keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what happen to poor Violet? And I must say the ending is not what you would expect. If you haven't already I would definitely give this book a read, you won't be disappointed. 

Published by: K

Review: Secret Heir by M.J. Prince

Secret Heir

By: M.J. Prince

Series: Dynasty Series

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, New Adult

Length: 346 pages

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Since the beginning of time, tales have been told about Eden. But all the stories are wrong.

Running parallel alongside Earth, but never touching, there exists not just a garden, but an entire world of vivid colours and breathtaking beauty where the Seraph reside.

Jazmine has lived in ten different foster homes, in ten different towns and all her life she has felt like she doesn’t belong – not in the trailer park which happens to be foster home number ten, not anywhere on Earth.

After a universe shattering revelation, she discovers why. Far from being the nothing and no one, with no past and no future, that Jazmine had always believed herself to be, she discovers that she is in fact an heir to one of the seven remaining Seraph Dynasties.

She is Jazmine Evenstar, the last heir to the sovereign Evenstar Dynasty.

Thrust into the world of wealth and privilege in which the impossibly beautiful and equally cruel Dynasty heirs reside, Jazmine is forced to manoeuvre the tangled web that holds the Dynasties together.

Against the backdrop of breathtaking star filled nights, sweeping coastlines, grand marble halls and decadent palaces, Jazmine tries to find her place in this beautiful new world whilst fighting not to lose herself in the process.

But the fairy tale quickly unravels.

Half human and the illegitimate daughter of the late suicide King of Eden, the other Dynasty heirs make it clear that Jazmine does not belong in their world.

Raphael St. Tristan, heir to the rival sovereign St. Tristan Dynasty and next in line to the throne of Eden, the guy with the face of an angel but who is as wicked as the devil himself, promises to break her.

Jazmine quickly learns that the beauty of Eden is nothing but a deception as she uncovers the secrets festering at the heart of it. But can she disentangle herself from the web of deception and intrigue that the Dynasty heirs have spun? Can she stop herself from falling into Raphael St. Tristan’s trap before he can fulfil his promise to shatter her completely? Or are those stories about Eden true after all and will she be foolish enough to taste the forbidden fruit that is Eden itself? 

My Review:

Rating:
★☆☆☆☆

***I received an ARC copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.***

While I received this book in advance in order to provide an honest review before publishing, life got in the way and I just could not finish the book on time. (Traveling back and forth between Indiana and Florida to help my best friend prepare for her wedding, then mom broke her wrist and had to have surgery. It's been a hectic last couple of months.)

When the author contacted me in regards to reading and reviewing her new book I was ecstatic, the synopsis sounded amazing and I just could not wait to delve into the world of Eden. This book truly puts a spin on the world of supernatural beings and alternate realms. I had high hopes for this book to be something different from the everyday Romance Fantasy novel. 

This book started out great, I found myself hooked and the author had an amazing way of bringing Jazmine's world to life. The writing was great and the author was very detailed in her descriptions of Eden. Jazmine felt as thought she would be a strong female character, kicking ass and not taking crap from anyone. And at first she started out that way.

However the further I delved in the book the more disappointed I became, Jazmine turned into a very whiny, love sick character. Only really thinking of Raph and their "doomed" relationship. I felt it took a lot away from the story. Her thoughts were almost repetitive, constantly thinking of Raph and his beauty or how she never should have let him into her heart. She could never really trust what they had, constantly questioning everything about their relationship. While at the same time I thought there were more pressing issues to address like: why is Earth no longer safe for her? What dangers await Jazmine on Earth? Who exactly was her father and what was he like as ruler? 

I felt as though there were several scenes that never really added to the story, such as the many cafeteria scenes with Devon, or even the many dueling scenes. I felt like they lacked substance. I was waiting for something epic to happen. There was never really any climax, nothing exciting ever happened. And many of the characters lacked development, we never got to learn about their pasts, other than Raph and Jazmine. I was hoping to learn more about Jazmine's father or for her to spend more time bonding with the grandfather she never knew. 

Overall, I found myself very disappointed, this book had so much potential and for me it just did not reach my expectations. I had such a hard time staying engrossed in the world of Eden that I almost called it quits, however I am one of those people that hates to leave a book unfinished. I can't say that I'll finish the series, I just don't have much invested in discovering what comes of Jazmine and Raph. I'm truly disappointed that I did not like this book, I wanted to love it especially after reading that remarkable and exciting synopsis. 

Published by: K

Book Tour + Review: Megge of Bury Down by Rebecca Kightlinger

Megge of Bury Down

By: Rebecca Kightlinger

Book Blurb:

Confused, unsure, and trying to avoid a twist of fate—a vow that she fears will lead to

murder—a young woman makes a decision that places her family in unimaginable danger.

A story intertwining destiny with reckoning, and tradition with dreams, the debut

coming-of-age novel Megge of Bury Down: Book One of the Bury Down Chronicles [Zumaya

Arcane], by Rebecca Kightlinger, radiates feelings of togetherness and protectiveness as seen

through the eyes of a young girl embroiled in a mystical struggle that threatens to tear her family

apart.

Set in thirteenth-century Cornwall, on a sheep farm in the shadow of Bury Down –

known for a thousand years as the land of the second sight – a healer has vowed to face flames

rather than fail in her one task in this life: to bring her young daughter to vow to protect The

Book of Seasons, an ancient grimoire whose power sustains the spirits of all their ancestors.

On the night of her vow-taking, wanting only to become a woman of Bury Down like her

mother and aunts, and drawn by an inexplicable yearning to possess her mother’s book, Megge

reaches for it. But when she touches its cover, it burns her fingers and she hears it whisper,

“Murderer.” Fearing that the book will make her harm those she loves, she rejects it and

renounces her birthright.

To what lengths will Megge’s mother go to help the child find the courage to take that

vow? And how far will Megge go to elude a terrifying destiny?

Excerpt:

Bury Down, Cornwall

November 15, 1275

     Mother cast a wary glance back into the cottage, hesitating at the threshold for a long moment before swinging her cape over her shoulders and stalking down the path alone, hens and chicks scattering before her ruthless step.

     

“Morwen?” I tugged at the old bard’s woolen cloak.

     

Morwen knelt beside me and pulled up my hood, smiling as she tied the strings beneath my chin.

     “’Tisn’t every day a daughter of Bury Down turns six. Watch close tonight, Megge. Learn from your mother now, child.”

     

We followed the path Mother had taken, and when we reached the pasture, Morwen raised her arm and swept her walking stick in a great arc as if tracing a rainbow over the herder’s hill in the distance.

     

“Look out there, Megge, to the east. To that high, gentle slope. Can you see the sheep grazing, heads down, their white fleece tinted pink with the setting sun?”

     That low voice, constant as the hum of bees in the hedges, fixed each step forever in my mind as we climbed the herder’s hill. I can hear it even now, though my hair is as white as Morwen’s was that day.

       

“Now, cast your gaze to the summit, child, to Bury Down, once a hillfort of rock and timber, now but a low stone crown set crooked upon a great green head. Can you see the last of the setting sun, blood-red upon that granite ring?”

     

She fell silent as we climbed, and when we reached the top, she took a deep breath, opened the neck of her cloak, and exhaled into it.

  

   “What are you doing, Morwen?”

    

 “I’m keeping this ember alight.” Opening her cloak, she showed me a clay cup that held a chunk of turf.

“The wind would blow it out, but without a breath of air it would die.” She covered the cup with her cloak and held out her hand. “Come, Megge, we’ve fallen behind.”

Mother, having gone on ahead, was out of my sight, so I held tight to Morwen as the rising breeze became blustery and the sky and the stones went grey. Walking just outside the wide stone ring, we finally came to rocks no higher than Morwen’s knee.

     

“Come, Megge.” She helped me step over the wall and, for the first time, into Bury Down circle. A hillfort, she had said. Rock and timber.

     But this was no fort. The hilltop was wild, one side covered with grasses laid flat by the 

constant wind and the other taken up with oaks.

    

 “This, once, was Murga’s grove,” Morwen whispered, pointing to the copse with her staff. 

“She was the first of us. The first seer of Bury Down.”

     

I was about to ask why Mother always called it the healer’s grove when my eye was caught by a lone rowan standing just outside the grove, all its branches flung to one side as if it were trying to flee, its hands thrust out before it.

     

“Morwen…” I could barely breathe. “This tree…”

     

Morwen glanced at the rowan. “There’s always been a rowan here, Megge. Ever since Murga’s day, nearly a thousand years ago. One tree dies and another springs up to take its place, all its branches blown sideways by the ceaseless wind.” She squeezed my hand and led me past the sentry tree and into the oaks. “Come along now, lass, the others are waiting.”

     

Deeper and deeper we trudged until the forest floor, spongy with fallen leaves, began to smell of truffles and rot. Morwen took a deep breath.

     

“Can you taste the sweet night air? Can you feel the soft earth give beneath your feet?” When the sky had gone dark and the air cold and damp, she squeezed my hand. “Your aunts will have made everything ready.

Tell me, Megge, are you very brave?”

About the Author:

Rebecca Kightlinger is a novelist, a book critic for Historical Novels Review, a fiction-

submissions reader for New England Review and Stonecoast Review, and a copy editor for

Stonecoast Review.

Born in Erie, PA, Kightlinger practiced medicine for nineteen years. For six of those 

years, she served on a Remote Area Medical volunteer team diagnosing and treating cervical cancer in Amerindian women living in the rainforests and savannas of rural Guyana. 

In 2010, Kightlinger suffered an injury that permanently damaged her wrist, forcing her to leave medical practice and pursue a new direction in life.

Earning an MFA from the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast MFA program and a copyediting certificate from UCSD, she turned her Masters thesis into her debut novel. Kightlinger and her husband reside in northwestern Pennsylvania.

Connect with Rebecca Kightlinger on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about

Megge of Bury Down at www.burydownchronicles.com.

Megge of Bury Down: Book One of the Bury Down Chronicles is available for purchase in

paperback and e-book via Amazon and all major booksellers.

My Review: 

Rating:

**I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.**

I must start by saying that the synopsis was absolutely captivating and had me instantly interesting in reading this book. A coming-of-age story set back in the thirteenth century, the time of the Salem Witch Trials; I was truly memorized with the idea of where this story could take us. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. 

Megge of Bury Down, follows a young girl through the years has she struggles to come to terms with  her duties to her family. Megge is the daughter of a healer and on her sixth birthday she is presented with a family heirloom that she is to protect and learn from; The Book of Seasons, however after a bit of a scare Megge decided to forsake her duties and turn her back on her family traditions. 

This book was beautifully written, Rebecca Kightlinger does a phenomenal job weaving together such marvelous story. The first few chapters were a bit slow and it took me some time to truly delve into the story. However after a few chapters I jumped right into the story and felt captivated by the events unfolding before me. A mysterious man appears in town and Megge's destiny is finally catching up with her. 

We get to watch Megge grow from a child into a young adult struggling to understand the importance a family traditions. While she loves her family and wants nothing more than to be accepted into the fold of the women's of Bury Down but she can't bring herself to open The Book of Seasons. 

She struggles with who she is: a healer, a weaver, or a herder. She learns many trades throughout her years however she never really takes her role as a healer seriously until tragedy hits close to home. It's only then that she finds the courage needed to learn more about The Book of Seasons.

I feel as though many can see themselves in Megge; the struggle in finding your place in the world, many can relate to that. Feeling the need to please your family, yet finding comfort in the things that make you unique. 

I enjoyed the twist on this coming-of-age novel, set in the thirteenth century when people struggled with the idea of healers; individuals that did not treat wounds or illness in the traditional sense. It brought forth a new perspective to this type of genre. It shows that even children centuries before struggled with finding a place in the world and learning to be who they are. And defying their mothers wishes.

Even with the slow start, I must say this was a truly captivating story and after a few chapters it really begins to pick up. The mystery behind Megge, her destiny and many the secrets that everyone has kept from her. It has you craving more until you can't put the book down. The need to know what is to come for Megge and her family has you sitting on the edge of your seat. And who is this strange man that has wandered into town accusing Megge's family of witchcraft? 

I would highly recommend reading this book. It is a great story and so well written you feel transported through time. Rebecca Kightlinger is a phenomenal author and I look forward to reading more of her work. 

Published by: K

Friday Finds #21

FRIDAY FINDS showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library — wherever! (they aren’t necessarily books you purchased). This is hosted by ShouldBeReading!

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Hey Ya'll!

Hope everyone had a marvelous reading week!! Feel free to drop your latest reads in the comments below. We enjoy hearing from our followers and fellow bloggers about what books they have currently picked up or may have just added to their TBR list. 

This weeks list is a bit short. Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to peruse Goodreads for upcoming new releases. I've been busy planning my best friends bridal shower and trying to navigate a stressful work week. However, I do hope that you all enjoy this weeks finds and feel free to share your newest finds as well. :)

Click on the cover to be redirected to the books Goodreads page.

Published by: K

Friday Finds #20

FRIDAY FINDS showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library — wherever! (they aren’t necessarily books you purchased). This is hosted by ShouldBeReading!

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So we all have heard the saying "never judge a book by it's cover," well this week that is exactly what I did. Not only do these books sound amazing and entertaining but the covers look absolutely amazing. It's what drew me in and got me interested in reading the synopsis. 

What books have you picked up based on the cover? 

Let's see what we have for this weeks Friday Finds.

Click on the books cover to be redirected to the books Goodreads page.

Published by: K&C

Review: Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman

Tess of the Road

By: Rachel Hartman

Synopsis From Goodreads:

In the medieval kingdom of Goredd, women are expected to be ladies, men are their protectors, and dragons get to be whomever they want. Tess, stubbornly, is a troublemaker. You can't make a scene at your sister's wedding and break a relative's nose with one punch (no matter how pompous he is) and not suffer the consequences. As her family plans to send her to a nunnery, Tess yanks on her boots and sets out on a journey across the Southlands, alone and pretending to be a boy.

Where Tess is headed is a mystery, even to her. So when she runs into an old friend, it's a stroke of luck. This friend is a quigutl--a subspecies of dragon--who gives her both a purpose and protection on the road. But Tess is guarding a troubling secret. Her tumultuous past is a heavy burden to carry, and the memories she's tried to forget threaten to expose her to the world in more ways than one.

My Review:

Rating:

***I received an ARC copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review.***

LOVED THIS BOOK!!

I have to be honest I had some trepidation in reading this book, while the synopsis sounded interesting it was a book that was out of my usual genres. Just recently have I found my love of medieval books; set in a time of kings and queens, knights and dragons. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I fell in love with this book and the characters.

This is my first Rachel Hartman book and after reading Tess of the Road I plan on picking up Seraphina, to see where it all started. She is an out-standing author and truly has a way with words. Through this entire book I felt transported to another time and was walking that road with Tess. The girl that sacrificed everything for her family, simply because she made mistakes in her past as a child. 

This was a beautifully written book, capturing the detail of Tess's journey from being this angry, heartbroken young girl who was suffocated by her mothers disapproval to this strong capable young women ready to conquer her next adventure. 

I feel Tess is one of those characters that everyone can compare too; there is little bit of her in everyone. A girl that wants to be someone other than the dutiful daughter. Someone that defies the rules, steps out into the world defiant and stubborn. Ready to do things the way she sees fit, even if she hits a few bumps in the road. That is one of the reasons I was so hooked on this book and Tess, I could see a part of her in myself. 

I enjoyed her relationships with all the usual characters she met along her journey. Griss the old helpless man that she rescued. Dulsia the prostitute that helped her conquer her fears of the past. And last but not least Pathka, the quigutl that traveled the road with Tess, an old friend that help her forget her troubles. Each chance encounter with a new stranger gave us a glimpse into Tess's past and showed her that she was more than her past life. 

Tess was destined for adventure and in the end she got to travel the road with friends and discover who she is truly meant to be. 

This book is definitely worth the read and I do hope their is a sequel in the works. I would love to see where Tess ends up and what new adventures await her. Will she ever return home to Jeanne? Will she ever see Josquin again? Does she find the next World Serpent? Will she encounter Will along her journey?

I highly recommend this book, I feel we can all learn a little something from Tess's character. Sometimes traveling the road is the best way to find one's self. 

Published by: K

Friday Finds #19

FRIDAY FINDS showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library — wherever! (they aren’t necessarily books you purchased). This is hosted by ShouldBeReading!

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Hey Ya'll!! Hope everyone has had a amazing week!!

Last week I had three lovely days off from work and got to spend most of my time enjoying the sun and reading! I was not ready to return.

Lately, the books I have been adding have running theme of medieval times; with kings and queens, ancient realms. For some reason I have been hooked on this genre ever since I read Robin Hood's Dawn. 

What new books have ya'll added to your TBR list? Can you see a genre that you are more interested in this time around?

Let's check out some of the new adds for this week. 

Click on the cover to be redirected to the books Goodreads page.

Published by: K&C