Name Day Book Haul from Zvaigzne ABC

Published on August 14, 2021August 11, 2021 by Anna AuroraLeave a comment

Hello My Darlings!My amazing Boyfriend got me a giftcard for my nameday…and I got to spend it last week. So here are the books I got. Let’s dive into it!

Sun on a twine blade Book I. by Dace Priede

There are many autobiographical motifs in the novel – it is a message about the complicated, contradictory life of a young actress Arta in Latvia in the 1970s, which is accompanied by the romantic imagination of the new Baron Jacques René, born in Arta’s fantasies.

To be honest this was a 100% cover buy. I loved the design and after reading the synopsis I was sold. Can’t wait to finally get to it.

The Ingredients of Love by Nicolas Barreau

There are no coincidences. Aurelie Bredin, a beautiful Parisian restaurateur, is sure of this truth. On a gloomy Friday in November, when Aurelie is feeling depressed after a breakup, she discovers a novel entitled ‘The Smiles of Women’ in a quaint bookshop on the Ile-St.-Louis. Astonishingly, her restaurant and she herself are featured in its pages. After reading the entire book in one night, Aurelie wishes more than anything to meet the author of the novel because she is convinced that, without even realising it, he has saved her life. However, her wish proves to be a difficult, almost impossible, endeavour.”

In Latvian, this one has another name,-Women’s smile. Interesting why did they change it, because The Ingredients of Love makes more sense. I do like the cover and the synopsis sounded like a light romance in Paris. I Will read it on the beach.

The Girls by Emma Cline

Northern California, during the violent end of the 1960s. At the start of summer, a lonely and thoughtful teenager, Evie Boyd, sees a group of girls in the park, and is immediately caught by their freedom, their careless dress, their dangerous aura of abandon. Soon, Evie is in thrall to Suzanne, a mesmerizing older girl, and is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be infamous cult and the man who is its charismatic leader. Hidden in the hills, their sprawling ranch is eerie and run down, but to Evie, it is exotic, thrilling, charged—a place where she feels desperate to be accepted. As she spends more time away from her mother and the rhythms of her daily life, and as her obsession with Suzanne intensifies, Evie does not realize she is coming closer and closer to unthinkable violence, and to that moment in a girl’s life when everything can go horribly wrong.

Uuuu…This sounds amazing. A cult?In the 60s?Yes, please! I was sold. Before seeing it in the bookstore I did see it on bookstagram last year,so I knew people loved it. Can’t wait!

The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

To earn a secret so profound, I would need to tell momentous lies, and make as many people as possible believe them…

Faith Sunderly leads a double life. To most people, she is modest and well mannered—a proper young lady who knows her place. But inside, Faith is burning with questions and curiosity. She keeps sharp watch of her surroundings and, therefore, knows secrets no one suspects her of knowing—like the real reason her family fled Kent to the close-knit island of Vane. And that her father’s death was no accident.

In pursuit of revenge and justice for the father she idolizes, Faith hunts through his possessions, where she discovers a strange tree. A tree that only bears fruit when she whispers a lie to it. The fruit, in turn, delivers a hidden truth. The tree might hold the key to her father’s murder. Or, it might lure the murderer directly to Faith herself, for lies—like fires, wild and crackling—quickly take on a life of their own.

LOOK AT THE COVER!!! Total cover buy…I mean, it’s soooo beautiful. And the synopsis sounds super good. I’m definitely getting to it this month.

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Changeling (Order of Darkness #1)by Philippa Gregory

Published on May 31, 2021May 27, 2021 by Anna Aurora2 Comments

Italy, 1453. Seventeen-year-old Luca Vero is brilliant, gorgeous—and accused of heresy. Cast out of his religious order for using the new science to question old superstitious beliefs, Luca is recruited into a secret sect: The Order of the Dragon, commissioned by Pope Nicholas V to investigate evil and danger in its many forms, and strange occurrences across Europe, in this year—the end of days.

Isolde is a seventeen-year-old girl shut up in a nunnery so she can’t inherit any of her father’s estate. As the nuns walk in their sleep and see strange visions, Isolde is accused of witchcraft—and Luca is sent to investigate her, but finds himself plotting her escape.

Despite their vows, despite themselves, love grows between Luca and Isolde as they travel across Europe with their faithful companions, Freize and Ishraq. The four young people encounter werewolves, alchemists, witches, and death-dancers as they head toward a real-life historical figure who holds the boundaries of Christendom and the secrets of the Order of the Dragon

The story– 4/5

Setting of the book– 4/5

Smexy Times?– non

OVERALL – 4/5 STARS

This one was a good surprise. The reviews were mixed, so I expected a 3 star read at most…but It was a solid 4! The story was engaging, the writing was phenomenal and you could easily immerse yourself in the story. I liked Luca and Isolde, and the internal battles they had(and everything they ever knew). I expected magic, like actual magic, but it was mostly about what people at that time thought was “magic”.This would be perfect for like 7/8 grader who is learning about the middle ages as a supplement, and I think it was written with that in mind. Overall great book, can’t wait to read the next one.

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The Nightmare Thief (The Nightmare Thief #1)by Nicole Lesperance- book review

Published on May 24, 2021May 21, 2021 by Anna AuroraLeave a comment

Maren Partridge loves working in her family’s dream shop where she can hand-craft any dream imaginable. The shop has only one rule. Dreams cannot be given to a person without their consent. Maren has no problem with this—until her sister, Hallie, has an accident that leaves her in a coma. Maren’s certain she can cure Hallie with a few well-chosen dreams. And when no one is watching, she slips her a flying dream.

But a strange new customer from the shop has been following Maren and knows what she did. Now she’s laid the perfect trap to blackmail Maren into creating custom nightmares for a dark and terrible purpose. As Maren gets drawn further into the sinister scheme, she must make a choice: to protect her family or to protect the town from her family’s magic.

You can find this book here : Amazon / BookDepository

The story– 4/5

Setting of the book– 2, 5/5

Smexy Times?– non,it’s middle grade

OVERALL – 3/5 STARS

This one was okay…Was it interesting? Yes. Would I read it again? Nope. Magic realism inspired fairytale about family, hope, and dreams. It has strong Lemony Snicket vibes and I loved it. Maren was an interesting main hero, she was a completed one (so not one-dimensional) and that’s amazing. Overall a good book for any middle grader.

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NIV LUMO JESUS Books of the Bible : New Testament (Community Bible Experience)-review

Published on May 20, 2021May 19, 2021 by Anna AuroraLeave a comment

The Books of the Bible (New Testament) is a revolutionary new presentation of Scripture that strips away centuries of artificial formatting, leaving behind nothing but pure Bible text. The result is a Bible unlike any other available today, but more like the original Scriptures. The Books of the Bible is specially designed to be read from start to finish, as if you were reading a novel. Natural literary breaks have been restored and the books have been rearranged chronologically, rather than by length, leading to a more authentic presentation of the Bible. There is also a helpful introduction to each book that sets the text in context, rather than adding explanation or application. The NIV text is also set in single-column format, rather than in two columns as you usually find in the Bible. This aids reading longer chunks at a time, as you would if you were reading a novel for pleasure.

This edition features colour photos from the LUMO Project films of the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The project has been informed by leading world experts’ latest theological, historical and archaeological research on every aspect of life in first-century Palestine. It was shot on location in Morocco, using the very latest 35mm digital film cameras to ensure picture quality of the very highest standard across a number of platforms – cinema, broadcast, BluRay, DVD, and the web. The voice-over script is taken from the NIV Bible but the films have been shot with the intention of overlaying the Bible text in any language. These multi-language Biblical resources are set to transform the way in which people engage, discover and study the life of Jesus through the Gospels.

This was the answer to my prayers. I was praying for the right bible for me and I found this one at a very great discount in my local bookstore. As someone who is pretty new to bible reading, this looked AMAZING(and to be honest it is!)

First of all, it has maps to see how the region looked at the time of Jesus. As well as the “Chronology of the Drama” (that’s basically the whole bible story in chronological order).

It doesn’t have the verses numbered on the actual page, but on the corner, and because of that, it’s easier to read, not too intimidating. I love that, but I know that not everyone will like it. The print size is very good, my eyes don’t hurt after reading and that’s amazing. Overall This is a great bible for a new believer or anyone who is new to reading a bible, It’s easy to read and understand. The photos help to fully immerse in the scriptures.

You can find this book on Amazon / Bookdepository

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April Mini Book Haul(NEW BOOKS IN THE HOUSE)

Published on May 8, 2021May 6, 2021 by Anna AuroraLeave a comment

Hello, My Darlings! How are you? How was your April? Did you get any new books? I got some physical books (FINALLY!!!) and I’m so excited. Our bookstores are open, so you can go and buy in person. You can’t even imagine how happy I was to just walk in a bookstore and browse, haven’t done it in a year …and it was AMAZING! So let’s dive into the books.

Captain Ingram’s Inheritance(Rothschild Trilogy #3)by Carola Dunn

Despite their different backgrounds, Lady Constantia Roworth loses her heart to Captain Frank Ingram, recuperating from his wounds at her father’s estate, and is delighted when a surprise inheritance transforms the penniless soldier into an acceptable suitor.

This was a cover buy! I mean…LOOK AT IT! And it’s a historical romance, I’m a sucker for those. It was a such great deal too, just 2 euros for the book(original it was 4 euros, so 50% off). What I didn’t know and there are no mentions in the actual book that it’s the third in a trilogy. But what I understand you can read those out of order, so that’s good. Can’t wait to read it this month!

Emma by Jane Austen

Emma Woodhouse is one of Austen’s most captivating and vivid characters. Beautiful, spoilt, vain and irrepressibly witty, Emma organizes the lives of the inhabitants of her sleepy little village and plays matchmaker with devastating effect.

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I’m so excited for this one! I have seen the old Emma movie and I really liked ,so seeing this one in the bookstore I knew I’m getting it. The price was great too ,around 3 euros.

Stormbringers(Order of Darkness #2)by Philippa Gregory

Italy, 1453. Luca and Isolde grow more and more attracted to each other as they continue their journey to unravel the mysteries throughout Christendom. But their travels are delayed by the uprising of an intense religious crusade that threatens the balance of the civilized world. Death lingers in the air as war ravages on, but this religious conflict is nothing compared to the arrival of an intense and deadly storm.

Caught in the midst of unimaginable chaos, Luca and Isolde must rely on one another in order to survive.

This is the second book in the Order of darkness trilogy. I already had the first and third book,so I was very glad to find the second book in our local book outlet store. To be honest I don’t like the covers at all…but the story sounds interesting.

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Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent- book review

Published on March 12, 2021March 11, 2021 by Anna AuroraLeave a comment

This story begins with a funeral. One of three brothers is dead, mourned by his siblings. But which one? And how? And, most importantly: why?

William, Brian, and Luke are each born a year apart in a lower-middle-class Catholic family in 1960s Dublin. William, the eldest, rises to the top of the heap in the film industry as a successful movie producer. Luke, the baby of the family, surprises everyone by morphing into a worldwide pop star. Brian, the compliant middle son, is the eternal adult in the room: the helpful, steady one, the manager of finances and careers.

But none of them is actually quite what he seems. Wounded by childhood, they have betrayed one another in myriad ways, hiding behind little lies that have developed into full-blown treachery. With an unnerving eye for the complexities of families, Nugent delves into the secret life of a deeply troubled household and provides stunning insights into the many forces that shape us from childhood.

The story– 3/5

Setting of the book– 3/5

Smexy Times?– YES

OVERALL – 3/5 STARS

First of all, the synopsis is super misleading …it’s not a thriller, but a family drama. As a family drama, it was good. Really showed how our childhood and different events in our lives can make us who we are today. Did I like any of the brothers? No! Did I like the parents? No…Maybe that’s one of the reasons I wasn’t overall invested in this story. We got 3 different points of view, from all 3 of the brothers thru the ages. I usually don’t like the multiple points of view, but here it worked. So the plot… was executed pretty well, it was easy to ‘keep track” where you were in the story. I liked the writing style, very fast-paced. Overall a good family drama…but not what I expected, that’s why just 3 stars.

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Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (Love By Numbers #1) by Sarah MacLean -book review

Published on March 4, 2021March 3, 2021 by Anna Aurora2 Comments

A lady does not smoke cheroot. She does not ride astride. She does not fence or attend duels. She does not fire a pistol, and she never gambles at a gentlemen’s club.

Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has always followed the rules, rules that have left her unmarried—and more than a little unsatisfied. And so she’s vowed to break the rules and live the life of pleasure she’s been missing.

But to dance every dance, to steal a midnight kiss—to do those things, Callie will need a willing partner. Someone who knows everything about rule-breaking. Someone like Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston—charming and devastatingly handsome, his wicked reputation matched only by his sinful smile.

If she’s not careful, she’ll break the most important rule of all—the one that says that pleasure-seekers should never fall hopelessly, desperately in love.

The story– 4/5

Setting of the book– 3,8/5

Smexy Times?– YES

OVERALL – 3,9/5 STARS

My first historical romance of the year! And it was pretty good...long, but good(and very quotable ) I read it in one sitting. The story was interesting, I liked Callie and Gabriel together (they did have amazing chemistry, so well done). Some parts did feel a little forced, but it didn’t spoil the story. Overall would recommend it if you love historical steamy romance.

FAVORITE QUOTES FROM THE BOOK

”Of course, one might argue that lurking in the darkness isn’t exactly ladylike.”

“Ah. There you have it wrong. I am not lurking in the darkness. I am hiding in it. Quite a different thing, altogether.”

“I shall endeavor to remember tea first, milk second. I should hate to cause another war between Britain and the Continent.”

“You look quite lovely tonight.” Oxford leaned in, and his smile broadened. Was it possible that the man had more than the usual number of teeth?

“You forget one of the most important tenets of London society.”

“Which is?”

“Wealthy, unmarried marquesses are always welcome back into the light.”

️

“Are you quoting the Bible to me?”

“Indeed,” she said primly, the portrait of piousness.

“While gambling.”

“What better location to attempt to reform one such as you?”

“Never doubt how beautiful you are, Callie. For your beauty has quite ruined me for all others. And, frankly, I rather wish I’d found you years ago.”

️

“Dear Lord,” Callie breathed.

“I’ve tried prayer myself,” Benedick said genially. “It doesn’t seem to work with her. I believe she’s made a deal with the Maker.”

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February Wrap Up (What I read in February…ps-it’s not a lot)

Published on February 27, 2021February 25, 2021 by Anna AuroraLeave a comment

Photo by Brigitte Tohm on Unsplash

Hello, Darlings! How are you all doing? How was your February? For me it was busy…and my health wasn’t the best(I felt tired emotionally and physically almost the whole month), so I didn’t get lots of reading this month. I read 3 books…yeah, just 3 books… not ideal. Let’s dive into the wrap-up.

Wrap Up!

The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict

I read this book in a day, very fast read. This was a pretty good story, I liked the writing style. Overall an amazing book, would recommend ( My full review you can read here )

Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell

This had the most unexpected ending I have read…Like…What?!This was SOO GOOd, so why not 5 stars? Because it lacked something, it just didn’t feel 5 stars. Overall I liked it and Lisa Jewell is slowly becoming my auto-buy author. (My full review you can read here)

DupliKate by Eliza Whitten

Ahhh…I expected it to be better. This is a new release, so there isn’t lots of information or reviews about it , that’s why I got into this book blind. Overall it was a good, cute but still angsty romance about sibling rivalry. (3 stars)

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The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict -book review

Published on February 25, 2021February 24, 2021 by Anna Aurora1 Comment

In December 1926, Agatha Christie goes missing. Investigators find her empty car on the edge of a deep, gloomy pond, the only clues some tire tracks nearby and a fur coat left in the car—strange for a frigid night. Her husband and daughter have no knowledge of her whereabouts, and England unleashes an unprecedented manhunt to find the up-and-coming mystery author. Eleven days later, she reappears, just as mysteriously as she disappeared, claiming amnesia and providing no explanations for her time away.

The puzzle of those missing eleven days has persisted. With her trademark exploration into the shadows of history, acclaimed author Marie Benedict brings us into the world of Agatha Christie, imagining why such a brilliant woman would find herself at the center of such a murky story.

I will start first by saying that I love Agatha Christie ,her books are so dear to me(it was a big part of my childhood). So after seeing this title and reading this synopsis I knew this was something I would enjoy…and I truly did. This book highlighted interesting parts about Agatha’s life I didn’t know and the struggles of “perfect wives” that women were supposed to be. The mystery part was very well developed in my opinion,and the switching chapters from “now” to “then” was an intriguing part of the story. It’s told from multiple points of view ( Agatha’s and her Husband), and it did give the book an extra mystery element. Overall I really enjoyed it – 4 stars 🌟

The story– 4/5

Setting of the book– 3,8/5

Smexy Times?– Non or very limited

OVERALL – 4/5 STARS

FAVORITE QUOTES FROM THE BOOK

——————–

But I knew it didn’t matter.

Because I was no longer Agatha Miller. I was Agatha Christie.

——————–

Wasn’t that the destiny of all us girls? To be swept away by a man and then swept into the tidal pull of our Fate?

——————–

“Well, then, we just might make quite the writer out of you yet, Mrs. Christie.”

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Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell -book review(Spoiler free)

Published on February 19, 2021February 25, 2021 by Anna Aurora1 Comment

Owen Pick’s life is falling apart.

In his thirties, a virgin, and living in his aunt’s spare bedroom, he has just been suspended from his job as a geography teacher after accusations of sexual misconduct, which he strongly denies. Searching for professional advice online, he is inadvertently sucked into the dark world of incel—involuntary celibate—forums, where he meets the charismatic, mysterious, and sinister Bryn.

Across the street from Owen lives the Fours family, headed by mom Cate, a physiotherapist, and dad Roan, a child psychologist. But the Fours family have a bad feeling about their neighbor Owen. He’s a bit creepy and their teenaged daughter swears he followed her home from the train station one night.

Meanwhile, young Saffyre Maddox spent three years as a patient of Roan Fours. Feeling abandoned when their therapy ends, she searches for other ways to maintain her connection with him, following him in the shadows and learning more than she wanted to know about Roan and his family. Then, on Valentine’s night, Saffyre Maddox disappears—and the last person to see her alive is Owen Pick.

With evocative, vivid, and unputdownable prose and plenty of disturbing twists and turns, Jewell’s latest thriller is another “haunting, atmospheric, stay-up-way-too-late read” (Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author)Owen Pick’s life is falling apart.

The story– 4/5

Setting of the book– 3/5

Smexy Times?– Non or very limited

OVERALL – 3,9/5 STARS

Trigger warning -sexual abuse, child abuse

This was…. unexpected. Everything from the start ,till the end. The writing style was good,we got multiple points of view. I usually hate it ,but in this story, it worked. This book gave an interesting insight and commentary on toxic masculinity and how we see it. I found it unique. The ending….wow , that was…VERY unexpected…like what?! Overall a great book, with an interesting story.