The Dreamer's Odyssey by Jaquie Flecknoe-Brown ~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Ortus Press

Publication Date: 31st March 2020

Genre: Dreams, Psychology,Therapy

Summary:

Dreams have always been important to humanity, but in modern times we have lost the ability to understand what our dreams are telling us. In The Dreamer’s Odyssey, the author provides a step-by-step guide to help the individual interpret and work through their own dreams. It can also be used by counsellors and other professionals to give them an understanding of the basis of Jung’s dream analysis. The 10 week guide has been adapted from the courses that the author, Jacquie Flecknoe-Brown, has run successfully for many years. Closely linked to the theory of C. G. Jung, each chapter includes an interpreted dream relevant to the weekly content. It also includes analysis of dream-theory, and interpretation of mythical material to illustrate theoretical points. Working with dreams and their images helps us to be more conscious of ourselves, our shadows, our opposites, and our purpose. Dreams can ease our burdens, help us problem-solve, improve our memories, and enlighten us. The dream is a natural, and living phenomenon – working to understand our dreams will have an effect on many aspects of our lives.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Literally PR, Ortus Press and Jacquie Flecknoe-Brown for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
The blurb of this book interested me, as someone who rarely remembers my dreams the ones I do always feel important and so it seemed like an interesting thing to read about, especially as I really don't know much at all about C.G Jungs dream analysis.
Now the cover is gorgeous and I really love it, it gives a dreamlike quality to the presentation of the book. And it's a really well-written book, the author writes in a way that makes everything clear to understand and to be able to apply to your dreams. I like that we have some of her patient's dreams included and how they might be interpreted, which gives you a practical way to understand what she's teaching you. What's more, I think the counsellor section at the end of each week's chapter is a really clever addition, it gives additional information that anyone can read to get a better/clearer understanding of what that week's teaching was about. The fact that it's broken down into ten weeks I think makes it a far less overwhelming book than if you were expected to take it all in at once.
Despite all of these good things the book really wasn't for me, I think I just didn't get on well with Jung's dream analysis theory, but I am glad I read it because know I know about it.

Krystina xx

Fake It Til You Make It by Laura Carter~Blog Tour

Publisher: Boldwood Books 

Publication Date: 8th April 2024

Genre:Romantic Comedy

Summary:

Can a fake date fix everything?

On a day Abbey thought would be the best of her life – her boyfriend is surely going to propose tonight, right? – it all falls apart: he tells her he’s met someone else. And then to make things worse, she loses her job.

In an act of reimagination, she splurges her wedding savings on renting an apartment in a building she’s always dreamed of living in and kits out her wardrobe to match.

But when her family invites her ex – a close family friend – plus a date(!!) to her parents’ vow renewal, Abbey realizes her façade won’t be enough. There’s nothing for it but to fake one more thing… a romance.

Review:

Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Laura Carter for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
So I discovered Laura Carter's books last year and she quickly became an auto-buy author so there was no way I wasn't getting and loving this book when it came out.
As with all her books, I was instantly drawn into the situation Abbey was in and followed it with her til the end, mostly without coming up for air because her books are so hard to put down once you've started one. Our two MCs Abbey and Ted are just so easy to love, you really feel for their situations and you're just waiting for that moment when the Fake dating becomes real, sort of egging them for the sidelines.
Of course, we have plenty of miscommunication that ends up turning into downright lies, on both sides but you sit there tutting at them and telling them to just tell the other the truth because you've gotten so invested in their story. This is the beauty of Laura Carter's writing style, she makes you care for the characters like they are your friends and like you would for friends you just want them to have that fairytale happy ending(admittedly we know that's going to happen but still you get invested as if it might not) and equally she writes people you're going to dislike, such as Andrew.
In short, I loved this book from beginning to end and I'm probably going to reread it again before the year finishes.

Krystina xx

 

Sanctuary of the Shadows by Aurora Ascher~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Bantam

Publication Date: 28th March 2024

Genre:Fantasy Romance

Summary:

Enter the circus at your own risk . . . and discover the greatest show on earth in this explosive and darkly magical fantasy novel

For humans, the circus is a place filled with wonder and amazement. For Harrow, it's a place to hide from those who slaughtered her entire clan. Disguising her abilities as part of her act has kept her true identity safe for years.

Until he arrives.

A strange new attraction with no name, no memory of who – or even what – he is, let alone an explanation for his odd yet deadly powers. But beneath the layers of anger and isolation, one glimpse into his inky eyes reveals a soul that calls out to the loneliness in her own.

And so, she chooses him.

Harrow is drawn to the darkness, to her insatiable need to soothe the beast who threatens their very existence. But with every secret she unlocks from his past, another from hers is revealed – luring enemies who will stop at nothing to get their final revenge on Harrow. And she's afraid she's given them the perfect weapon against her because he's not what he seems.

But maybe it's time they finally learn neither is she…

Review:
Firstly thank you to RandomThings Book Tours, Bantam and Aurora Ascher for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
Ok, so I have to start off with something I haven't mentioned for a while, which is surprising considering I'm a magpie, how stunning this cover is! It is so beautiful and eye-catching, even just seeing the spine on my shelf is beautiful. So if you are one of those readers who listens and then gets the shelf trophy, you are going to want this one.
Now unusually for me I've actually read some reviews about this book before finishing it, and I think I'm one of the odd ones because I got drawn in from the first chapter and I was suitably hooked by the time I was 50 pages in, whereas it seems other found the first half difficult to get into I loved it. I enjoyed flipping between Raith and Harrow's points of view, especially once their paths merged it was really good to see them from each other's point of view.
I'll admit I want more when it comes to the backstory of the Queens and their fighting/wars, i definitely think we need a prequel to this series at some point because that sounds like a really interesting aspect of the world-building to delve into.
I'm usually more of a pure fantasy kind of girl, romantasy is a new genre for me but it is one I'm defiantly enjoying exploring and I really can't wait for the next book in this series, I've enjoyed Aurora Aschers writing style so much its flowed easily and it kept me emersed in the world she's created so well. I'm not sure what else I can say without spoiling it for you all, and you know I don't like spoiling books! But I'm hoping we don't have to wait too long for book two to come out.

Krystina xx

The Grand Illusion by Syd Moore~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Magpie

Publication Date: 4th April 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary:

Step forward Daphne Devine - you are about to change the course of the war 

‘A breathtaking historical thriller.’ Erin Kelly, author of The Skeleton Key

June 1940. As World War Two rages, Daphne Devine remains in London, performing each night as assistant to stage magician Jonty Trevelyan, aka the Grand Mystique.

Then the secret service call.

For, aware of Hitler’s belief in the occult, the war office has set up a hidden cohort to exploit this quirk in the enemy’s chain of command.

Daphne and Jonty find themselves far from the glitz and glamour of the theatre, deep inside the lower levels of Wormwood Scrubs prison. Here, they join secret ranks of occultists, surrealists, and other eccentrics co-opted to the war effort. There is one goal: to avert invasion on British shores.

Soon Daphne realises she must risk everything if there is any chance of saving her country

Review:
Firstly thank you to RandomThings Book Tours, Magpie and Syd Moore for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
Now normally when I see that a book is set during World War Two I avoid it, it's a period that I'm generally not a fan of reading about because of family history and it always brings forward strong emotions, But this blurb was too good and I stepped out of my comfort zone for it. And boy am I glad I did. Syd Moore's writing instantly draws you into the story, from the War Memos, propaganda and various typed sections that break up parts of the book from Daphne's point of view to hearing what she and Jonty get drawn into you are engulfed into that world. From the first chapter where you can feel the tension coming off the pages to the mild exasperation from Daphne when she is in the Section W meeting room for the first time, every emotion that Syd Moore writes comes off the page at you and brings you into that moment with the character.
I was completely hooked from pretty much the first page, but definitely after that first chapter, I sat reading and lost the day to it happily and I honestly can't wait to see what happens with the rest of this series. At least I'm crossing my fingers that this is the beginning of a series because I've really enjoyed stepping into this wartime world and it caused me to see what else Syd Moore has written so now I have a pile of her books to read through, Essex witches series here I come!

Krystina xx

The Romanov Brides by Clare McHugh~Blog Tour

 Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Publication Date: 28th March 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary:

They were granddaughters of Queen Victoria and two of the most beautiful princesses in Europe. Princesses Alix and Ella were destined to wed well and wisely. But while their grandmother wants to join them to the English and German royal families, the sisters fall in love with Russia—and the Romanovs.

Defying the Queen’s dire warnings, Ella weds the tsar’s brother, Grand Duke Serge. Cultivated, aloof, and proud, Serge places his young wife on a pedestal for all to admire. Behind palace gates, Ella struggles to secure private happiness.

Alix, whisked away to Russia for Ella’s wedding, meets and captivates Nicky—heir apparent to the Russian throne. While loving him deeply, Alix hears a call of conscience, urging her to walk away.

Their fateful decisions to marry will lead to tragic consequences for not only themselves and their families, but for millions in Russia and around the globe.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Random Things Book Tours, William Morrow Paperbacks and Clare McHugh for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I've really enjoyed diving into this book, my knowledge of the Romanovs is sparse. I knew that Tsar Nicky's wife was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria but I didn't realise one of her sisters had also married into the family, so from the off this book held my attention. It's clear from reading it that the author has definitely done their research because they have brought to life the time period, especially the extravagance and opulence of the Russian court, it felt like you could step off the page and back in time. I enjoyed getting to know the princesses, especially as I really knew little about them. I know that Queen Victoria had family among all the major European royal families, that she's connected to them through her children and grandchildren but past knowing her children's names and Tsarina Alexandra the rest are a mystery to me, or were until I read this. It's really made me want to do more reading about the family, it's hooked the history nerd in me. Clare McHugh's writing style is fantastic, she draws you into the world she puts on the page and makes you feel like you are there watching this unfold, I especially loved the Afterword she included I liked knowing what happened to Ella and Victoria, as we already know what happened to poor Alexandra.
I definitely plan to pick up Clare's other book, her level of research already tells me that that one will be brilliant too.

Krystina xx

Captian Vlad and The Mary Rose by Kate and Sam Cunningham~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Reading Riddle

Publication Date: 29th March 2024

Genre:Childrens History

Summary:

Join Captain Vlad the flea, and Master Roxton the rat, as they set sail on the Mary Rose.

This is the latest adventure in the best selling Flea in History series, and is filled with detailed factual information about life on a Tudor ship.

Vlad and his crew of scurvy rats are aboard Henry VIII’s favourite ship, the Mary Rose. They are sailing to Portsmouth to stop a French invasion, but are expecting an easy journey. That is until they discover the presence of Hatch the dog and Captain Carew’s hawk. Will they find a way to escape the danger?

The book ends with an information page about the history and a flash forward to the discovery and recovery of the Mary Rose, with her vast treasury of artefacts.

All Vlad flea books are packed full of history in the illustrations and within the story, and are a perfect way to learn whilst having fun.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Random Things Book Tours, Reading Riddle and Kate and Sam Cunningham for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I love being able to share books with my avid listener of stories( they can't read yet) and book-loving child, and they love it when they get a new book to add to their collection. I happen to love it even more when the book we get to add teaches them about history, but that's probably because I'm a history nerd and I'd love it if they became one too lol
We really loved reading this book, we've read it a fair few times since we got it, and every time it gets my little one asking questions about the images on the page or the story I'm reading them and I love that it gets them engaged in that way. It's a lovely mix of history and getting that information across to the reader but with the added fun of it being a tale told by Captian Vlad Flea I think that mix makes the history really be taken in by children. It's always a winning way to get that information that we get told in schools in, let's face a way that can be quite dull, in a fun way that makes history come alive that little bit more. 
It's a winning book in my eyes and it ended with a request from my little one to go visit the Mary Rose Museum, so they can see "the big boat" and whats more we went ahead and bought another book in the series so we can learn more from Captian Vlad!

Krystina xx

The Missing Maid by Holly Hepburn~Blog Tour

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 27th March 2024

Genre: Cosy Crime

Summary:

London, 1932.

When Harriet White rebuffs the advances of her boss at the Baker Street Building Society, she finds herself demoted to a new position… a very unusual position. Deep in the postal department beneath the bank, she is tasked with working her way through a mountain of correspondence addressed to Baker Street’s most famous resident: Mr Sherlock Holmes.

Seemingly undeterred by the fact that Sherlock Holmes doesn’t exist, letter after letter arrives, beseeching him to help solve mysteries, and Harry diligently replies to each writer with the same response: Mr Holmes has retired from detective work and now lives in Sussex, keeping bees.

Until one entreaty catches her eye. It’s from a village around five miles from Harry’s family estate, about a young woman who went to London to work as a domestic, then disappeared soon afterwards in strange circumstances. Intrigued, Harry decides, just this once, to take matters into her own hands.

And so, the case of the missing maid is opened…

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Holly Hepburn for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
Now I've read some books by Holly Hepburn before and loved them but this was a new kind of book from her so while I knew the writing would be brilliant I was interested to see how she would do going from romance to cosy crime. And the answer to that is brilliantly. I can't believe this is her first cosy crime book she got the pacing spot on we had little points of worry for Harry's safety, brilliant Sherlock Holmes-inspired detective work from her and just a tiny hint of romance which I'm hoping we get more of in the next book.
I really loved Harry from the first point she stepped onto the page, She is such a strong-minded female character and you can't help but cheer her on when she stands up to creeps like her boss or shrugs off society's norms for a woman of her station to go do detective work and help someone of a lower station. She is an absolutely brilliantly written character and I'm so glad there are more books planned in this series because I'm really excited to see what she gets up to next and what the next intriguing letter for Mr.Holmes holds.
As I said Holly Hepburn's writing style is fantastic and love reading books by her because it's so easy to immerse yourself in them because of how she writes. I am so looking forward to book two and I hope it's hitting the shelves soon.

Krystina xx