[Book Tour- Review] The Undiscovered Descendants by Jo Visuri [GIVEAWAY]

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE UNDISCOVERED DESCENDANTS  by Jo Visuri Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About the Book:

Title: THE UNDISCOVERED DESCENDANTS (The Nordri Series, #1)

Author: Jo Visuri

Pub. Date: November 15, 2021

Publisher: Pohjola Press

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 316

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Membership!

A captivating modern-day fantasy filled with intrigue, suspense, mythology, magical objects, and special abilities, Jo Visuri’s adventurous tale will sweep you away to mystical Auor Island—where nothing is quite as it seems!

A remote island. Old secrets. And a cascade of unintended consequences.

Long ago, four clans from earth’s four corners were given magical abilities to help save humanity from oblivion. For generations, their descendants have lived in hidden communities and occasionally intermingled with regular humans—leading to whispers of unforeseen consequences.

Now, in the present-day and for unknown purposes, one Clan quietly and desperately seeks the rumored, undiscovered offspring.

Meanwhile, in the heart of a northern archipelago, Elin Bodil leads a perfectly ordinary, happy life on Auor Island with her family. When, through accident and circumstance, she meets both a motorcycle-driving stranger and the new mysterious boy next door, Elin's world is turned upside down.

As Elin is drawn into a brewing supernatural conflict—with her two unusual acquaintances on opposite sides, she must decipher who to trust while unearthing her island's secrets and those buried deep within herself. But when the search for answers triggers the Clan’s sinister schemes, Elin and her companions will have to confront far bigger and deadlier secrets than they ever imagined. And they’ll need much more than themselves to survive!

Welcome to Auor Island…and the legend and magic within its ruins!

Reviews:

"Jo Visuri does an outstanding job of juxtaposing fantasy and real-world concerns as the tension and action escalate [in The Undiscovered Descendants]...readers who want a story about new and evolving relationships, changing life purposes and perspectives, and threats to family and community connections will find The Undiscovered Descendants an excellent, satisfying story...highly recommended for teen fantasy readers who look for more than action and adventure in their stories." — D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW  Highly Recommended

"Secrets emerge as two young men try to find out if their classmate Elin is secretly a Dormant Descendant. Suspenseful and intriguing, The Undiscovered Descendants will have its readers halfway out of their seats. Brilliant characters, ancient Clans, special abilities, magic objects, and teenage relationships all wrapped into a fantastic adventure." — MANHATTAN BOOK REVIEW

"The Undiscovered Descendants is told from three different perspectives, and I love the seamless way that Elin's, Aeden's, and Tristan's tense stories weave together. The characters are fun and easy to both love and hate. Jo Visuri has introduced a unique world that combines modern teenagers and Scandinavian mythology in a delightfully refreshing way with a steady, action-fueled pace that makes it impossible to put down." — Amy, READERS' FAVORITE 

"I loved every bit of the story right to the very last page. The descriptions of the scenes are so vivid that they seem like a 3D projection. Additionally, the thoughtfully constructed story covers an interesting range of themes: jealousy, ambition, infatuation, secret societies, friendship, family, and more." — Foluso, READERS' FAVORITE 

 

This book was an adventure from beginning to end! At first, I wasn't sure what the setting was because the girls were gathering seashells at the shore to sell and there was some kind of entity in the background that Elin could sense. So, I wasn't sure if it was a fantasy world, dystopian or something similar. To my surprise, it is a normal world but with special inhabitants. Apparently, there are a subclass of humans that come from four clans. These clans all have special abilities and their apparent reason for existing is to stop the end of times, aka Ragnarok. There are also rare individuals that have the gene to be a part of the clan and have abilities, but these people have dormant powers and are called the undiscovered descendants. Elin just happens to be one. 

Elin meets two boys within the span of a few days. One of these boys is an unregistered clan member and the other is a hunter. Tristan, the motorcycle driving hunter, discovers Elin is a descendent and wants to bring her back to the clan to receive glory and recognition. Aedan, the unregistered clan member, is on the run with his family because the clans separate the families, to make the kids more structured and so that the parents can be more productive members of society. He also discovers Elin is a descendent, but he wants to keep her out of harms way, because their lives are dangerous. Poor Elin is caught in the middle. 

I loved the chemistry between Elin and Aedan, and the literal spark they had. I wasn't a huge fan of Tristan, but I think that's because of how he was raised. I'm hoping he has some major character development in the next book and that he doesn't become the major villain. I enjoyed the multi POV present throughout the book because it gave different perspectives between the narratives. Sometimes this can be the downfall of a book, but I think it was flowed beautifully and gave it more depth. 

Overall, I loved this book and I am anxiously awaiting the next in the series. I loved that there was Norse mythology woven throughout the book, and the fact that there were clans and another society in plain sight within the world was fascinating. This was a refreshing new story in the young adult genre and I am eager to read more from this author.

Thank you to the Rockstar Book Tours for providing a copy of this book. These opinions are my own, and were not influenced in any way. I was not obligated to provide a review. 

 

About Jo Visuri:

Jo Visuri was born and raised on an island in Finland’s famous archipelago, where she found her one and only Viking coin at the age of six. After spending a few formative years living by a Norwegian fjord, Jo’s family uprooted to the sunny beaches of Los Angeles, CA. A graduate of Brown University, Jo has been privately writing stories since she could read one and launched her debut The Undiscovered Descendants in Fall 2021. She now lives and writes in San Diego, CA, when she isn’t distracted by her cuddly and demanding senior dog. To catch up on the latest news and updates, join Jo Visuri’s newsletter at: www.jovisuri.com

Sign up for Jo’s mailing list!

 

Website  | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon  

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive an eBook of THE UNDISCOVERED DESCENDANTS, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/22/2021	BookHounds YA	Guest Post
11/22/2021	Writer of Wrongs	Guest Post
11/23/2021	Living in a Bookworld	Excerpt
11/23/2021	The Momma Spot	Excerpt
11/24/2021	Jazzy Book Reviews	Excerpt
11/24/2021	Sadie's Spotlight	Excerpt/IG Stop
11/25/2021	The Girl Who Reads	Review/IG Stop
11/25/2021	tmbacorbett.com	Excerpt
11/26/2021	Coffee and Wander Book Reviews	Review
11/26/2021	_bookbound_	Review

 

Week Two:

11/29/2021	Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog	Review
11/29/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Stop
11/30/2021	@curlygrannylovestoread	Review/IG Stop
11/30/2021	Triquetra Reviews	Review
12/1/2021	BookBriefs	Excerpt
12/1/2021	Books a Plenty Book Reviews	Review
12/2/2021	Simply Daniel Radcliffe	Review
12/2/2021	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Stop
12/3/2021	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt
12/3/2021	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Review/IG Stop

[Book Tour- Blitz] Crossroads 10th Anniversary by Mary Ting [GIVEAWAY]

 

Crossroads
Mary Ting
Publication date: March 2nd 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

* * * READERS FAVORITE GOLD AWARD WINNER 2012–YOUNG ADULT * * *
Based on dreams the author had in high school-chapter 1 & 2.

Protecting her was his duty.
Falling in love was forbidden.
Loving her was all that mattered, even if it meant he would be exiled for all eternity.

Claudia Emerson’s life is about to change. It seems like a tragic coincidence when her good friend, who shares the same first and last name, dies in a car accident. Grief brings tumultuous dreams—but these are more than simple dreams. In sleep, Claudia travels to another world called Crossroads. There, she meets Michael, a Nephilim–half angel, half human. Meeting him and being there changes her forever. It marks her as special, and that may not be a good thing. Now fallen angels and demons are after her, and it is up to Michael and the other Nephilim to protect her. Her dreams become a nightmare as secrets are revealed about who she really is and the true identities of the people she loves most.

Series link!

10th Anniversary Hardback
Book Plus Set With Gold Spray
Book Plus Set Without Gold Spray

—

Author Bio:

International Bestselling, Award-Winning Author Mary Ting writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the imagination and captivate readers all over the world. Her books run a wide range of genres: science fiction, fantasy, and swoon worthy stories. Her storytelling talents have won her a devoted legion of fans and garnered critical praise.

Mary was born in Seoul Korea and resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two dogs—Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Becoming an author was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, she retired from teaching after twenty years.

Website / Facebook Group / Facebook Page / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter / Bookbub

GIVEAWAY!
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Hosted by:

[Book Tour- Review] A Time for Monsters by Gareth Worthington [GIVEAWAY]

 

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08XQY1XVY
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vesuvian Books (September 28, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 28, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English

Praise for A TIME FOR MONSTERS

"Gareth Worthington delves into the mind of a female serial killer that is moved only by music as she tries to get away with murder. A tale of cat and mouse has the reader ask what she is trying to hide. An epic thriller and a fantastic read!" —Tanya Roberts @bookswihtanya, CER at Indigo Books, Québec Canada

"Engaging, stomach twisting, breathtaking, heart breaking, mind bending! Worthington pushes you relentlessly down a path of redemption and off the rough edges of unpaid dues--wherever they are hiding. All the way throwing society's complicity in your face. Not only craftily written but intelligently crafted, he ensnares all your senses while keeping you guessing. A must read for fans of Nordic crime and lovers of twisting storylines." —Dalilah Kőnig, bookseller at Orell Füssli, Switzerland

"A masterfully built story of abuse, pain, and possible redemption unfolds. Every twist and turn was unexpected and kept me wanting to know more. Can understanding the "Monsters" make you accept or condemn them? How Worthington made me actually love and understand a serial killer is beyond me." —Erin E. Forys, Barnes and Noble, Williamsburg, VA

"A hell-raising revenge tale for fans of Gillian Flynn, Stieg Larsson, and Karin Slaughter that forces readers down a dark road with an unexpected twist." —Bram Stoker Awards Nominee, Monique Snyman

A Nordic thriller in the vein of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets Death Wish, in which a female serial killer, who only feels emotion when listening to music, is hell-bent on revenge and must outwit a disgraced detective determined to redeem himself if she is to complete her carefully orchestrated plan and cover up the ultimate secret.

ONLY A MONSTER CAN DO THE WRONG THINGS FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

Do you remember the first tape or CD you ever bought? Perhaps you waited for the local station to play the top forty songs on a Sunday so you could record your favorite band. Maybe you downloaded a certain track that reminded you of your wedding day or a graduation.

Reyna Blackburn remembers.

Every single song for every horrific event in her life. She remembers what song was playing on the radio the first time he hurt her. And she remembers what was playing through her headphones the first time she killed.

I've read a lot of suspense/mystery novels recently, and I have to say that this one was very unique. From the start, we are given a point of view from the serial killer. But, the killer is a she and she's bald? Throughout the story, the viewpoint shifts from Reyna to the detective. It also shifts from Reyna's childhood back to present day, 2016. Reyna is a British woman with a past and Detective Arne Huakaas is a detective with a lot of baggage. Together, they play a cat and mouse game till the very end.

There is a lot of mentions of domestic violence in this book, so please check your triggers. Reyna Blackburn is a vigilante serial killer, and she only targets a select group of men. It was so interesting to read from a killers POV, especially one that knows what they're doing. I was more interested in the present day chapters, but I understood why the past chapters were needed. Also, there are twists and turns within the past POV chapters that I never saw coming. I was rooting for Reyna from the start even though she was the serial killer. Don't come for me, I felt like she had legitimate reasons. I wanted her to have her own happily ever after. Unfortunately, the ending is very open ended, so who knows who really won in the end. 

Overall, I was captivated by this suspense novel. There are so many unexpected twists that it keeps you ensnared within it's pages from beginning to end. I would recommend this to any fan of suspense. It's unique and bewitching.

Thank you to the Jean Book Nerd Tours for providing a copy of this book. These opinions are my own, and were not influenced in any way. I was not obligated to provide a review. 

You can purchase A Time For Monsters at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Gareth Worthington

Gareth Worthington holds a degree in marine biology, a PhD in Endocrinology, an executive MBA, is Board Certified in Medical Affairs, and currently works for the Pharmaceutical industry.

Gareth is an authority in ancient history, has hand-tagged sharks in California, and trained in various martial arts, including Jeet Kune Do and Muay Thai at the EVOLVE MMA gym in Singapore and 2FIGHT in Switzerland. His work has won multiple awards, including Dragon Award Finalist and an IPPY award for Science Fiction.

He is a member of the International Thriller Writers Association, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and the British Science Fiction Association.

Born in England, Gareth has lived around the world from Asia, to Europe to the USA. Wherever he goes, he endeavors to continue his philanthropic work with various charities.

Gareth is represented by Gandolfo Helin Fountain Literary Agency, NYC, USA.

        

WEEK ONE

NOVEMBER 15th MONDAY Movies, Shows, & Books INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 16th TUESDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

NOVEMBER 17th WEDNESDAY BookHounds GUEST POST

NOVEMBER 18th THURSDAY Coffee and Wander Book Reviews REVIEW

NOVEMBER 19th FRIDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW

NOVEMBER 19th FRIDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW

WEEK TWO

NOVEMBER 22nd MONDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW

NOVEMBER 23rd TUESDAY The Momma Spot REVIEW

NOVEMBER 24th WEDNESDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW

NOVEMBER 25th THURSDAY My Fictional Oasis REVIEW

NOVEMBER 26th FRIDAY Once Upon a Twilight REVIEW

NOVEMBER 26th FRIDAY Rajiv's Reviews REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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[Book Review] The Last Beginning: Eluding Destiny Prequel by Charlie Nottingham

 

        The Last Beginning
What happens when night collides with day?

Laila's a bubbly waitress at a small-town diner. Jeremy's a rogue supernatural hunter with a dark past.

When they meet, sparks don't just fly but catch aflame. Her sunshine merges with his dark sky, and it's as though the rest of the world disappears.

But he can't rope a human girl into his dangerous life. No matter how much he wants her, no matter how much she wants him, he can't risk her life.

Except... Maybe she isn't the defenseless little flower he thought she was.


This book is a prequel to the Eluding Destiny Series. There are nine books after this, as well as spin offs and several continuation series. This is not a standalone novel.

Intended only for mature readers.

I loved this book! Laila is just your ordinary human that accidentally runs into a not so ordinary guy and sparks ignite. The problem? He doesn't want her to get caught up in his dangerous world. But, Laila is stubborn and she isn't about to let Jeremy get off that easily when she knows their relationship could be something more.

I loved the chemistry between Laila and Jeremy. I also loved that they had backgrounds and they weren't just cookie cutter characters. Jeremy has a background in drug addiction and Laila is a party girl that has a lot of interest in boys and illicit substances. I loved Laila from the start, and I was glad to see her character grow throughout this prequel. Jeremy also had some character development. There honestly wasn't any characters that I hated thus far, which made me really happy. 

This prequel has Fae, Angels, Guardians, Demons, and more. It's a prequel, so it tells the story of how Jeremy and Laila meet and how they grow into a couple. I haven't read the other books in this series yet, but this was a great beginning. There was action, romance, spice, and great world building. I read this book within a few hours and I am excited to see where this series leads! The epilogue had quite the little cliffhanger/ sneak peak into their upcoming world. 

Thank you to the author for providing a copy of this book. These opinions are my own, and were not influenced in any way. I was not obligated to provide a review. 

Charlie is a... Okay, talking about myself in third person is weird.

Nice to meet you, and thanks for clicking on my page! My name's Charlie Nottingham, and my whole world revolves around fantasy. When I'm not writing a new book, I'm either hanging out with my dogs, talking with my fans online, or reading some amazing urban fantasy, paranormal romance, or fantasy romance series (always a series, never a stand-alone, because I hate to fall for a character and never see them again), or re-watching some Buffy or Supernatural.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to share the worlds I've created with the world around me! Truly, telling stories, reading them, absorbing fiction is what I live for.

If you like my work and would like to sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter, here's a link to my website! You can also find my prequel on there (for free, always for free). https://www.charlienottingham1224.com/

October Supernatural Book Crate by Bookish Buys!

 

Featured Books (all signed by author):

Midlife Ghost Hunter by Shannon Mayer

Soothing Monsters by M. Sinclair

Fae's Torment by Atlas Rose and Kim Faulks

Featured Book Swag:

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[Book Tour- Review] Behind the Veil by E.J. Dawson [GIVEAWAY]

 

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the BEHIND THE VEIL by E.J. Dawson Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: BEHIND THE VEIL

Author: E.J. Dawson

Pub. Date:  October 1, 2021

Publisher: Literary Wanderlust

Formats: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 292

Find it:  Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited membership!

Can she keep the secrets of her past to rescue a girl tormented by a ghost?

In 1920s Los Angeles, Letitia Hawking reads the veil between life and death. A scrying bowl allows her to experience the final moments of the deceased. She brings closure to grief-stricken war widows and mourning families.
For Letitia, it is a penance. She knows no such peace.

For Alasdair Driscoll, it may be the only way to save his niece, Finola, from her growing night terrors. But when Letitia sees a shadowy figure attached to the household, it rouses old fears of her unspeakable past in England.

When a man comes to her about his missing daughter, the third girl to go missing in as many months, Letitia can’t help him when she can’t see who’s taken them.

As a darkness haunts Letitia’s vision, she may not be given a choice in helping the determined Mr Driscoll, or stop herself falling in love with him. But to do so risks a part of herself she locked away, and to release it may cost Letitia her sanity and her heart.

Reviews:

“The author is adept at selling not only the novel’s supernatural elements, but the historical era as well. She takes her time building the characters and the world around them, which pays dividends once the really spooky stuff starts to happen. Like all good ghost stories, the true horrors aren’t entirely spectral: The characters are haunted by personal traumas and secrets as frightening as any spirit. An old-fashioned ghost story told with inventiveness and style.”-Kirkus Reviews

"A powerful reflection on mortality and the lengths some will go to find closure or their own separate peace. A suspenseful but patient ride from start to finish, Dawson has created an empathic and endlessly engaging protagonist in Letitia. The plot is well supported by a poignantly penned cast of characters that readers can envision and invest in. Emulating a 1920s literary voice, without ever letting the style slip, this paranormal thriller is sinister, macabre, and hugely entertaining." -Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★1/2

 

Letitia is burdened with a past consumed in tragedy. Within this tragedy she was able to find herself and her gifts. Letitia is able to look into the veil, and through this she is able to bring peace to families that have lost a loved one. Through her practice, she is able to help heal. But, when others find out that she is the real deal she is sucked into a world of murder and dark spirits from which she was not prepared. 

On the surface, Behind the Veil is a paranormal suspense novel. But under the layers, it is so much more. It is about healing, confronting the past, and becoming stronger. In the beginning Letitia is fragile. She went through a great loss before her move to the States and she's just trying to get through each day. She atones for her the sins she perceives by bringing comfort and finality to grieving families. But, she knows her limits and she knows when she cannot help people. Unfortunately, there have been a string of disappearances of young girls in her town. When a grieving father approaches her, she can only tell him that his missing daughter is no longer among the living. This may be enough information for him, but it is not enough for the next grieving father of a missing girl. Mr. Driscoll also needs her help as well, as his niece is being plagued by constant night terrors. But, what do these events all have in common?

I loved the relationship between Mr. Driscoll and Letitia. I felt like he was the balm to her soul, and she was the person he needed to figure out his nieces terrors. They fit together and both gained from the relationship throughout the book. I was constantly rooting for them to come together. I really enjoyed Letitia's character development. She went from frail and meek to courageous and protective. It was a good look for her. 

Overall, I feel that this book was very well written. I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys paranormal, mystery, suspense or anything in between. 

Thank you to Rockstar Book Tours for providing a copy of this book. These opinions are my own, and were not influenced in any way. I was not obligated to provide a review. 

 

About E.J. Dawson:

E.J. Dawson both credits and blames her mother-by reading The Lord of the Rings aloud to E.J. twice-for her complete absorption with the world of fiction. Growing up in a haunted mansion sandwiched between an abandoned mine and an endless pine plantation should have been all the fuel E.J.'s imagination needed, but her parents filled her life with stories: about themselves, their lives, and the ones they had found through the pages of books.

Sign up for E.J.’s newsletter!

 

Website  | Facebook  | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a finished copy of BEHIND THE VEIL & Swag, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/8/2021	BookHounds YA	Guest Post
11/8/2021	Writer of Wrongs	Excerpt
11/9/2021	My Fictional Oasis	Review
11/9/2021	Don't Judge, Read	Guest Post
11/10/2021	@enjoingbooksagain	Review
11/10/2021	Review Thick And Thin	Review
11/11/2021	The Momma Spot	Excerpt
11/11/2021	Nat Reads	Review
11/12/2021	100 Pages A Day	Review
11/12/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review

Week Two:

11/15/2021	Coffee and Wander Book Reviews	Review
11/15/2021	A Court of Coffee and Books	Review
11/16/2021	The Book Review Crew	Review
11/16/2021	The Girl Who Reads	Review
11/17/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
11/17/2021	Sparetimereader	Review
11/18/2021	Once Upon a Twilight	Review
11/18/2021	Jazzy Book Reviews	Review
11/19/2021	BookBriefs	Review
11/19/2021	OneMoreExclamation	Review