Blog - Pages and Pekoe

Review: AndroDigm Park 2067

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

AndroDigm Park 2067 by J.M.J. Williamson
Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction
Pages: 240
Source: the author
Buy on Amazon, Buy on Book Depository
Goodreads
five-stars

When the CEO of the world’s largest android manufacturer is brutally murdered, Marshal Shelby is tasked with hunting down her assassins and those behind them. His investigation leads him to AndroDigm Park - a fantasy park for the super rich, where quests can literally live out their fantasies in a world populated with android creatures and human replicants. They can travel back in time to the days of Camelot, ride dragons, slay demons, and engage in any kind of debauchery they desire. If you're rich enough, anything is possible at AndroDigm Park. But is it all about fun and games or is there something more sinister about the park and the people behind it?

I’m not going to question it, but 2018 has been a great reading year! AndroDigm Park 2067 is another 5 star read added to my list and I’m not mad about it. When the author asked for a review, I really wanted to check it out because it sounded different from my usual choices. If you want to know what I read, you can find out more about me or become my friend on Goodreads!

The cool thing about AndroDigm Park 2067 is that, while totally fictional, there is enough human realism to make your mind wonder if this is the path the world will take by the year 2067. Williamson took the primal human emotional states of lust, loss, and determination and spun an exciting, futuristic tale that managed to draw me in within the first few pages. Sometimes it takes me a few chapters to become invested in characters or plot, but this sucked me right into the vortex.

Characters

The characters in AndroDigm Park 2067 are well developed and relatable. Even Jess, the AI fembot is so close to human and I loved her interactions with other characters. You could cut the sexual tension between main protagonists Shelby and Scarlet with a knife which was almost enough to make me blush. Although, I will say, that it annoyed me slightly that they were both so goddamn perfect!

Setting

Can we just talk about the world building for a minute?! Think the Jetsons with a gritty, noir twist. I was so intrigued by the technology! Flying cars, artificial intelligence, a VR themepark! I’m such a tech nerd so these things tickle just the right spots. Even the more “normal” settings like the cabin are beautiful and well thought out.

If you’re into futuristic science fiction (no aliens, don’t worry) grab this and devour it in a sitting few sittings because it’s it’s worth it for all the smut alone! I hate cheesy romance novels so this was a love story I could get behind.

DIY Bookshelf Build

I had been throwing around ideas and scouring Pinterest (come on over and follow me) for bookshelf inspiration for a while now and I finally pulled the trigger and got down to business on my own DIY bookshelf build! I say “I”, but the majority or the heavy lifting was done my darling Dad who is always willing to lend a hand on a project like this one.

Before the Build

One of my reading goals for the year is to organize my books better so this project checks that goal off my list! I keep a large majority of my books on 2 tall bookshelves in our living room which flank an electric fireplace. This area is one of my favorites in our home to decorate but these shelves always let me down because they’re just not the look I’m going for. They look cheap (because they are), they make the space too dark, and they are too thin for the space. Keep in mind here that I am no where near a professional decorator because I have neither the talent or budget of Joanna Gaines.

I didn’t want to spend a whole lot of money or time on this project because there are lots of other things that need to be done around the house of greater importance. Saying that, I also didn’t want it to look like shit so basically I want to have my cake and eat it too. The usual. Luckily for me, I was able to achieve this by keeping things very simple.

After the Build

With some basic 1 x 10 pine boards (cut to size at the hardware store) and brackets, Dad and I knocked out this project in under 3 hours. I did do a little prep work by varnishing the boards the night before which took me about an hour. The white brackets had me a little worried but I am happy with the result.

I wanted it to be open, bright, simple and functional and I think that our easy DIY bookshelf build checked all of those boxes!

Spam me with your DIY Bookshelf Builds in the comments!

Review: The Story Peddler

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Story Peddler (The Weaver Trilogy #1) by Lindsay A. Franklin
Published by Enclave Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 336
Source: the author
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

Selling stories is a deadly business

Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.

During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down . . . and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers . . . and they’re after her too.

You guys! I have not been this immersed in a magical world since Harry Potter and Terry Pratchett’s Discworld!

I’ll back up a bit and let you in on some really fun stuff. If you read my last post, you’ll know that I read The Story Peddler as part of a blog tour leading up to it’s publication. This is my first blog tour so I was super excited when Laura from Unicorn Quester reached out to ask me to join in! Be sure to check out the other stops on the tour to meet some other great bloggers and see what they’ve got to say. You’ll also be able to learn a little more about the author and maybe even win something! If you’re here from other stops along the way, welcome!! I hope that you’ll come back soon.

Now let’s get down to it!

First of all, the world in which this story takes place is close enough to our reality not to be completely out of touch but with pieces to magic and fantasy that make me wish I lived in it. When a book has a map in it, it’s usually a sign that I’ll like it! I enjoyed the descriptive writing style as it really allowed me to see Tanwen’s cottage, the secret forest hideout and the palace which makes me feel more deeply connected to the story.

The character development is something else that stands out to me as a huge strength in The Story Peddler. Each character feels truly alive based on the authors descriptions and the dialogue between characters. I enjoyed the realistic awkwardness of romantic connections, bickering between comrades, and vile villains. I really liked the switch between the 2 strong, female protagonists. Each had very different lives and arrived at different circumstances but I was able to feel a connection with both women. Even secondary characters take on lives of their own and add great colour and depth to the story.

The aspects of fantasy and magic are by far my favorite part of the book and storytelling is at the center of the plot. Characters who are storytellers have the ability to weave story strands into tangible items and the way the author describes the process gives it a beautiful life of it’s own. The way that magic is presented in a story is always interesting to me and in The Story Peddler, these magical abilities are different than anything I’ve read before which is always nice.

Something I’m really excited about is that this book is only beginning and that it is the first in a series. I can’t wait to learn what happens next and hopefully hear about the other magical abilities of colormasters and songweavers which were briefly discussed but not fully fleshed out.

Check out The Story Peddler blog tour and visit a few other stops!

The Story Peddler Blog Tour!

Also by this author: The Story Peddler (The Weaver Trilogy #1)
The Story Peddler (The Weaver Trilogy #1) by Lindsay A. Franklin
Published by Enclave on May 1, 2018
Pages: 336
Goodreads

Selling stories is a deadly business

Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.

During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down . . . and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers . . . and they’re after her too.

About the Book

Selling stories is a deadly business

Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories–she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.

During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down…and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers…and they’re after her too.

Amazon — Barnes & Noble — Books-A-Million — ChristianBook.com

About the Author

Lindsay A. Franklin is an award-winning author, award-winning freelance editor, and homeschooling mom of three. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. She spends a lot of time in made-up worlds, and she’s passionate about sparking imagination through stories of infinite possibility. Her debut fantasy novel, The Story Peddler, releases in 2018. When she’s not exploring the fantastical, she’s exploring the Bible and encouraging young women through her devotional books (click here for more information on Adored).

Lindsay lives in her native San Diego with her husband (master of the dad joke), their awesomely nerdy kids, two thunder pillows (AKA cats), and a stuffed wombat with his own Instagram following (@therealwombatman). You can find Lindsay on social media, too, if Wombatman hasn’t hijacked all her accounts. She’s @LinzyAFranklin on Instagram and Twitter, and she Facebooks at www.facebook.com/LindsayAFranklin.

Email list sign-up link: http://eepurl.com/bwF64j

Let’s Party!

Calling all book readers! Join authors Lindsay A. Franklin and Sara Ella to celebrate the releases of their novels, The Story Peddler and Unbreakable, on May 1st!

Grab your favorite drink and snack and be prepared for a fun time of chatting with Lindsay and Sara, games, and giveaways.

The party starts at 8 PM EST (7 PM CST and 5 PM PST). Can’t wait to see you there!

RSVP Here

Giveaway Time!

Want to dive into a new world or in need of a good book? Use the link below to enter to win a signed print copy of The Story Peddler, a blue strand book sleeve, custom Story Peddler bookmark,a fluffhopper sticker, anda set of five mini Story Peddler art prints! (US only.)

>>>Entry-Form<<<

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, April 24^th

Book Spotlight – Tabitha Caplinger
Review – Jane Maree Author
Review – Kaiser Writes-A-Blog

Wednesday, April 25^th

Interview – Quills and Inkblotts
Interview – H.L. Burke Author

Thursday, April 26^th

Review & Interview – Reality Reflected
Review – Lands Uncharted
Review – Scriblerians

Friday, April 27^th

Review – Ralene Burke
Book Spotlight – Morgan L. Busse, Author

Saturday, April 28^th

Interview – Liv K. Fisher
Review – C O Bonham
Visual Post – Jebraun Clifford
Review – Pages and Pekoe

Monday, April 30^th

Book Spotlight – New Authors Fellowship
Interview – Unicorn Quester
Interview – Singh with Books

Tuesday, May 1^st

Review – i am not a bookworm!
Review –Worthy2Read
Review – Lori’s Book Loft
The Story Peddler and Unbreakable Facebook Launch Party

Wednesday, May 2^nd

Blog Tour Wrap-Up –Unicorn Quester

Review : The Xeno Manifesto

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

by Brysen Mann
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Pages: 252
Source: the author
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

Deputy Frank Smirnov wants a peaceful life but fate has chosen a different path. He could never have imagined a course that not only gives him insight to his past but to the true origins of the human race. NSA Agent Zachariah Allmass' job is to eliminate those who know too much, and those "Beings" with powers untold that have elected to remain hidden for all these millenniums, now possess evidence he needs for his true employer, the Committee. But Allmass has an agenda of his own.
Meanwhile, Roman Petrov is a violent man who puts his retirement on temporary hiatus after being left with collateral damage that leaves him no choice but to eliminate the "thorn in his side".
When these men's worlds collide, secrets that were never meant to be exposed will shake the very foundation of mankind's existence.

I’m happy to report another 5 star read with The Xeno Manifesto! Check out my star rating system so you know that a 5 star book is to me and how I review things. The majority of books I read tend to be in the 3 or 4 star range so it’s always a nice surprise to come upon a 5!

If you’re into suspenseful mysteries with a little science fiction thrown into the mix, I’m pretty sure this will be in your wheelhouse. As an added bonus, it’s heavy on conspiracy so that was fun too! As a whole, great book from start to finish with lots of surprising twists.

One of the things that I really liked about this book were it’s characters. Frank is a stellar main character who is incredibly intriguing and enjoyable to follow. His beginnings are a mystery and as the pieces are unraveled, we learn more and more about who is is and how he came to be that way. Everything that happens to him comes as a surprise to me and there were very few times that I was able to see something coming although once it’s explained, it all makes sense.

The pacing is quick yet thorough which makes it really hard to put down! It’s a great book for a weekend read or travel companion. I often found myself getting lost in it and losing all track of time and space! Lots of shocking twists and interesting scenarios to keep you intrigued and entertained. The conspiracy theories added a lot of fun into the mix and definitely made me break out the tin foil hat!

If you’re into Sci-Fi or Suspense AT ALL, I really think you’d enjoy The Xeno Manifesto and highly recommend you check it out. This has been the most fun I’ve had with a book in a long time!

Review: The Cursed Wife

The Cursed Wife by Pamela Hartshorne
Published by Macmillan on March 8th 2018
Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Thriller
Pages: 480
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

A gripping historical thriller by the author of Time's Echo, Pamela Hartshorne.The Cursed Wife is a page-turning, psychological thriller set in Elizabethan London, by the author of Time's Echo, Pamela Hartshorne.Mary is content with her life as wife to Gabriel Thorne, a wealthy merchant in Elizabethan London. She loves her husband and her family, is a kind mistress to the household and is well-respected in the neighbourhood. She does her best to forget that as a small girl she was cursed for causing the death of a vagrant child, a curse that predicts that she will hang. She tells herself that she is safe.But Mary's whole life is based on a lie. She is not the woman her husband believes her to be, and when one rainy day she ventures to Cheapside, the past catches up with her and sets her on a path that leads her to the gibbet and the fulfilment of the curse.

The Cursed Wife is a fantastic read! The contrasting personalities of the two female protagonists gave such an interesting perspective and twist on the traditional historical fictions I normally read. Each woman was strong and interesting and I went back and forth over which one I preferred. In the end, I realized I loved them both for their own reasons.

Both Mary and Cat were strong, smart women in very different ways and they made their way in the world the best way they knew how. Mary was the more reserved, introspective, and delicate or the two, while Cat was boisterous, determined and became slightly unhinged. The role reversal was so interesting and was pivotal to the plot. I found that all of the various relationships in the book were very complex. Romantic, familial and friendships.

No detail was lost and I often felt that I could see and smell the captivating streets of Elizabethan London. I enjoyed the descriptive nature of Hartshorne’s writing and it added so much to the colour and ambiance of the story. The city streets were almost a character in themselves. From the house interiors to the storefronts and even the clothing each woman wore, I could easily picture the scene.

The supernatural was a subtle, but present, force throughout the book with the lingering curse and Peg the creepy doll. It gave just enough interest and mystery to the story without making it feel like an outlandish fantasy novel.

The ending was an exciting surprise! I certainly didn’t see it coming but it didn’t feel rushed or out of place. It fit within the pace of the story and wrapped things up while still leaving enough room for you to add more with your own imagination.

If you enjoy a good Elizabethan historical thriller, The Cursed Wife is definitely in your wheelhouse! It’s interesting, quick, engaging and surprising all in one and I had a hard time putting it down!

2017 Reading Stats

Those who know me, know how much of a nerd I am. I hated math in school but in my adult life, I find statistics pretty interesting. Particularly, reading stats! Don’t ask me why. I couldn’t explain it if I tried! Some of my favourite blog posts to read and videos to watch are of people sharing the details of genres, page counts, star ratings, all that good stuff!

Although the Goodreads reading stats are pretty sparse, I thought I’d share mine anyway. Like many book bloggers, I am tracking my own statistics in greater detail for 2018. If for nothing else than my own curiosity! I’m looking forward to seeing the sorts of things I discover about my reading this time next year.

Here are a few of my 2017 reading stats from Goodreads

My 2017 reading goal was 20 books and I passed that by 2 books and I was pleased with that. I probably only really got back into reading every day in the fall sp the majority of those books were read in the latter half of the year. For 2018, I set my reading goal at 40 which I feel is definitely achievable at the rate I am going. I know that I’ll have periods of drought when I won’t feel like picking up a book but I’ll also have periods when I devour them so I’m sure it will even itself out.

I wasn’t surprised to see that The Nest was the most popular because I was seeing it everywhere throughout the year. On the other hand, I was very surprised that my average star rating wasn’t higher. I find that I’m pretty generous when rating books so I figured that would be at least a 4.

If you keep track of your reading stats, was there anything you found that was surprising? Chat with me in the comments!

Review: Through Streets Broad and Narrow

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

Through Streets Broad and Narrow (Ivy Rose Series #1) by Gemma Jackson
Published by Poolbeg Press on January 1st 2013
Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction
Pages: 464
Buy on Amazon, Buy on Book Depository
Goodreads

On New Year s Day 1925 Ivy Rose Murphy awakes to find her world changed forever. Her irresponsible Da is dead. She is grief-stricken and alone but for the first time in her life free to please herself. After her mother deserted the family, Ivy became the sole provider for her Da and three brothers. Pushing a pram around the well-to-do areas of Dublin every day, she begged for the discards of the wealthy which she then turned into items she could sell around Dublin's markets. As she visits the morgue to pay her respects to her Da, a chance meeting introduces Ivy to a new world of money and privilege, her mother's world. Ivy is suddenly a woman on a mission to improve herself and her lot in life. Jem Ryan is the owner of a livery near Ivy s tenement. When an accident occurs in one of his carriages, leaving a young girl homeless, it is Ivy he turns to. With Jem and the people she meets in her travels around Dublin, Ivy begins to break out of the property-ridden world that is all she has ever known. Through Streets Broad and Narrow is a story of strength and determination in the unrelenting world that was Dublin tenement life.

We have the first 5 star book of the year with Through Streets Broad and Narrow! If you have taken a look at my About page, you’ll already know that my favourite genre to read is Historical Fiction and this book is one of the reasons why. I actually found it on Kindle Unlimited which is an awesome place to find something new to read because each month there are new books available to you for free.

One of the things that I like most about this genre is that it allows me to glimpse into what it would have been like to live in a specific time and place. Unlike something like a story involving magic and fantasy (which I also enjoy), the environment and people in a historical fiction novel could have actually existed and for some reason that makes me love it even more. To imagine what life was for someone in a different time period is so interesting! This book is set in 1925 Dublin and it follows a young lady named Ivy who has to beg every day to support herself and her father in the poor tenement neighbourhood called The Lane.

Jackson does a great job building a cast of characters who you can either love or hate and who you can really feel for. Ivy is such a fantastic strong female protagonist and her evolution throughout the book is so enjoyable to follow. Something in particular that I loved about the characters is that it is full of strong, smart and fiery women. It was so easy to cheer Ivy on through her struggles, to be interested in Ann Marie’s story, to love Granny Grunt, and those are just 3 of the fabulous females that you meet throughout the story.

The Lane, poor neighbourhood where Ivy lives, is almost a character on its own. While much of the story takes place outside of The Lane, it has a sort of pulse which I am sure was typical of that sort of area in 1920’s Ireland. The author does a wonderful job describing the houses and environment so it’s easy to imagine how things might have looked, felt, and even smelled.

Through Streets Broad and Narrow is the first of the Ivy Rose series and I already have the next book loaded on my Kindle and ready to go. It’s a fast-paced and easy read and I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy Historical Fiction or literature on Irish life.

Do you have a favourite Historical Fiction book or is the genre not your cup of tea?

7 Reading Tracker Ideas

Every year, I debate what I’m going to do for a reading tracker and whether or not I’ll use it. As I said in my reading goals post, I want to make a bigger effort to read more this year and I like to keep some sort of list outside of Goodreads, because who doesn’t like making more work for themselves? For some reason, I want to be able to see something on paper and watch my list of books grow in a tactile way. I suppose if I really wanted to do that I could just put all of the books I read in a big book stack on the floor but I feel like my husband might object and my kids would kick it over for fun. So paper it is.

Here are some fantastic ideas that I found after scouring the depths of the internet. Some are free, some you buy, but I like them all for different reasons. I like that there are premade books you can get made just for this or you can go the personalized route of your bullet journal or planner. Whatever floats your boat!

Printable Reading Log

Bujo Book Life from @oak.tree.journaling

Keeping a Book Journal – Mommy Mannegren

Reading Journal – HappyPrettyBlog

Bibliofile

Books to Read – AlinasCreativeCorner

Reading Log – @jtraftonart

Do you use some sort of Reading Tracker or Log?

This post contains affiliate links which means that I am paid for purchases made through them with no extra cost to you. Thanks for that!

Review: A Texas Legacy Christmas

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

A Texas Legacy Christmas (Texas Legacy #4) by DiAnn Mills
Published by Barbour Books on September 1st 2007
Genres: Holiday, Christian, Fiction, Romance
Pages: 288
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Zack Kahler heads back to Texas with a homeless eight-year-old pickpocket named Curly in tow. But soon Zack finds his hands full as he tries to run a newspaper, recover from a lost love, and keep his unruly charge out of trouble. Boardinghouse worker and life-long outcast Alice Hawkins has had her fair share of hurt and rejection. When Zack and Curly show up on her doorstep, more than one wounded heart is stirred with love. But soon a life-threatening illness and misunderstanding threaten to destroy all their hopes. Can the love of Christmas present a miracle to heal these Texan hearts? A Texas Legacy Christmas is part of the Texas Legacy series. Other books in the series include Leather and Lace: Book 1, Lanterns and Lace: Book 2, Lightning and Lace: Book3.

Ugh. I really don’t like giving negative reviews. And it’s not that I have lots of super negative things to say about this book, it’s just that I don’t have many positive things to say either. Apparently, this book is part of a series of Texas Legacy books and I can’t say that I’ll be seeking out the others. I should probably just stick to genres that I prefer.

I have to preface this by saying that this book doesn’t align with my interests so THAT is why it wasn’t my cup of tea. Not because the writing was poor or because it was offensive in any way. The writing was absolutely fine and I found her style enjoyable. The characters, although ridiculous, were likeable and real enough. I thought that I would enjoy it because I love historical fiction and this was set in 1911 Texas, and while those aspects of it were very good, it wasn’t enough for me to love the book.

First of all, I don’t enjoy a cheesy romance and second, I am not into religion and this is a Christian faith-based book. Neither of those things makes this low review the author’s fault at all, but my own for choosing something so far outside of my wheelhouse. That’s not to say that I’ve never enjoyed reading books in either of those genres, just that this one is not quite for me.

I debated not reviewing at all, however, one of my 2018 goals is to review more for the purpose of contributing to the bookish community and developing my own writing style and voice. It is important to me that I am able to write honest and sometimes critical reviews because I want you to trust that when I say I loved a book, you know that it’s true. Not every book is going to be for every person, and that’s perfectly ok!

The Texas Legacy series is probably a wonderful series for many people and I hope they get a lot of enjoyment from it. I’m just not one of those people.