We Are The Light by Matthew Quick REVIEW

 We Are The Light

by Matthew Quick

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Blurb

LIFE IS FULL OF GUARDIAN ANGELS.

Lucas Goodgame lives in Majestic, Pennsylvania, a quaint suburb that has been torn apart by a recent tragedy. Everyone in Majestic sees Lucas as a hero—everyone, that is, except Lucas himself. Insisting that his deceased wife, Darcy, visits him every night in the form of an angel, Lucas spends his time writing letters to his former Jungian analyst, Karl. It is only when Eli, an eighteen-year-old young man whom the community has ostracized, begins camping out in Lucas’s backyard that an unlikely alliance takes shape and the two embark on a journey to heal their neighbors and, most important, themselves.

From Matthew Quick, the New York Times bestselling author of The Silver Linings Playbook, We Are the Light is an unforgettable novel about the quicksand of grief and the daily miracle of love. The humorous, soul-baring story of Lucas Goodgame offers an antidote to toxic masculinity and celebrates the healing power of art. In this tale that will stay with you long after the final page is turned, Quick reminds us that guardian angels are all around us—sometimes in the forms we least expect.

Expected Publication Date: November 1, 2022

Review

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Matthew Quick for a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

We Are The Light is told through a series letters from a man to his Jungian analyst in the aftermath of a tragedy that shook their entire town. This story deals with grief, trauma, mental health and healing.

I loved Quick's book The Silver Linings Playbook and have wanted to read another of his books ever since. I love the way he puts his readers inside the troubled minds of his main characters. It feels like you're inside the characters mind, know they are suffering and it's going to get worse but you're just the reader so you have to sit back and let them experience everything. I love it when the author gives just a touch of predictability to emphasize tension and pain in a story. Like they give you enough information where you know something is going to be revealed for sure and then it is but it goes further than you imagined.

This book is so dramatic and tense. If you're looking for something emotional and raw I recommend giving this one a chance. I know I'm glad I did.

A Shadow of Love by Amy S. Cutler REVIEW

 A Shadow of Love

by Amy S. Cutler

Blurb:

A Shadow of Love is a paranormal romance story of an abused woman and a dead poet. When Annabelle flees her abusive husband and moves into an 1860's farmhouse, she soon learns that she is not alone; she shares her home with Christian, the ghost of a poet who killed himself in 1917.

Christian, wanting nothing but solitude, tries to scare Annabelle away, but once they come together while she is dreaming, they fall in love. The clock is ticking for Christian, for moments after his hanging his fiancé magically cursed his spirit to be stuck on earth for one hundred years, and his time is almost up.

With Annabelle's ex threatening her and the spirit she has fallen in love with on the verge of disappearing, Annabelle becomes obsessed with staying with Christian, and will do anything to be with him.

Being in love with a ghost is bad enough, but for Annabelle, discovering that her true love will be crossing over at any moment pushes her over the edge of reckless behavior.

Review

Thank you to the author and WOW! Women on Writing for having me on this blog tour and providing me with a review copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A Shadow of Love is about a woman named Annabelle who leaves her abusive husband, moves into an old farm house and falls in love with the ghost of the man who died there. Even knowing all that going in I still didn't expect the story I received.

The way things happened in the story were done in a way I was not expecting. This story had something so unique about it.

It is a short book so things did happen rather quickly. Nothing is really fleshed out much, it's basically a jump in and go with it type of book which I really enjoy. A Shadow of Love is a good choice when you would like a romance with disturbing elements.

Trigger Warnings: Suicide, Suicide attempt, domestic abuse

About the Author

Amy S Cutler, author of A Shadow of Love earned her master’s degree in Creative Writing from Goddard College. Most recently she was published in Slut Vomit: An Anthology of Sex Work and featured in the Tales to Terrify Podcast, among others. Her writing focus is suspense, horror, science fiction, and ghost stories. She can be contacted through AmysHippieHut.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Blog Tour Calendar

October 3rd @ WOW! Women on Writing

Join us as we celebrate the launch of Amy S. Cutler's book A Shadow of Love. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

October 5th @ Sadie's Spotlight

Sadie spotlights A Shadow of Love and features an excerpt from the book.

http://sadiesspotlight.com/

October 6th @ Create Write Now

Mari L. McCarthy shares a guest post by Amy S. Cutler about the importance of learning how to self-market. A must-read post for authors!

https://createwritenow.com

October 8th @ Life According to Jamie

Jamie reviews Amy S. Cutler's book A Shadow of Love. Don't miss this exciting book!

https://www.lifeaccordingtojamie.com

October 10th @ Amy's Booket List

Join Amy as she reviews Amy S. Cutler's book A Shadow of Love.

https://amysbooketlist.com/

October 12th @ Word Magic

Join Fiona as she shares a guest post by Amy S. Butler about the importance of finding a writing community.

http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/

October 15th @ What is That Book About?

Find out more about A Shadow of Love by Amy S. Cutler in this book spotlight.

https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com

October 16th @ Celtic Lady's Book Reviews

Read a review of Amy S. Cutler's book A Shadow of Love.

https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/

October 17th @ Jill Sheets' Blog

Join Jill as she interviews author Amy S. Cutler about her book A Shadow of Love.

http://jillsheets.blogspot.com/

October 18th @ A Storybook World

Deirdra features Amy S. Cutler's book A Shadow of Love.

http://www.astorybookworld.com/

October 19th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog

Bev reviews Amy S. Cutler's book A Shadow of Love.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

October 20th @ Knotty Needle

Join Judy Hudgins for her review of Amy S. Cutler's book A Shadow of Love.

http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com

October 21st @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog

Join Bev as she shares a guest post by Amy S. Cutler about the story behind the haunted house in the novel.

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com

October 22nd @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews & Interviews

Join Lisa as she interviews author Amy S. Culter about her book A Shadow of Love.

https://lisahaselton.com/blog/

October 24th @ Girl Zombie Authors

Read a guest post by Amy S. Cutler about why ghost stories are so popular.

https://girlzombieauthors.blogspot.com/

October 25th @ Four Moon Reviews

Join Samantha as she reviews Amy S. Cutler's book A Shadow of Love. You can also win a copy of the book too!

https://fourmoonreviews.blogspot.com/

October 27th @ Girl Zombie Authors

Come by Chris' blog again and read a review of Amy S. Cutler's book A Shadow of Love. You can also enter to win a copy of the book too!

https://girlzombieauthors.blogspot.com/

October 29th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion

Visit Linda's blog for an in-depth interview with author Amy S. Cutler about her book A Shadow of Love.

https://bootsshoesandfashion.com

October 31st @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog

Visit Anthony's blog for Amy S. Cutler's guest post about finding a publisher.

http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

November 1st @ Choices

Join Madeline as she features a guest post by Amy S. Cutler about the first draft process.

http://www.madelinesharples.com/

November 2nd @ Jessica Belmont's Blog

Jessica reviews Amy S. Cutler's book A Shadow of Love.

https://jessicabelmont.com

November 3rd @ Write Advice

Read Amy's guest post about how she found the idea for Shadow of Love and turned it into a story.

https://writeradvice.com/

November 4th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog

Read Anthony's review of A Shadow of Love by Amy S. Cutler. A paranormal book you don't want to miss!

http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese REVIEW

Hester

by Laurie Lico Albanese

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Blurb

Isobel Gamble is a young seamstress carrying generations of secrets when she sets sail from Scotland in the early 1800s with her husband, Edward. An apothecary who has fallen under the spell of opium, his pile of debts have forced them to flee Edinburgh for a fresh start in the New World. But only days after they've arrived in Salem, Edward abruptly joins a departing ship as a medic––leaving Isobel penniless and alone in a strange country, forced to make her way by any means possible.

When she meets a young Nathaniel Hawthorne, the two are instantly drawn to each other: he is a man haunted by his ancestors, who sent innocent women to the gallows––while she is an unusually gifted needleworker, troubled by her own strange talents. As the weeks pass and Edward's safe return grows increasingly unlikely, Nathaniel and Isobel grow closer and closer. Together, they are a muse and a dark storyteller; the enchanter and the enchanted. But which is which?

In this sensuous and hypnotizing tale, a young immigrant woman grapples with our country's complicated past, and learns that America's ideas of freedom and liberty often fall short of their promise. Interwoven with Isobel and Nathaniel's story is a vivid interrogation of who gets to be a "real" American in the first half of the 19th century, a depiction of the early days of the Underground Railroad in New England, and atmospheric interstitials that capture the long history of "unusual" women being accused of witchcraft. Meticulously researched yet evocatively imagined, Hester is a timeless tale of art, ambition, and desire that examines the roots of female creative power and the men who try to shut it down.

Review

Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was such a new and refreshing take on the classic tale The Scarlett Letter. In Hester, we don't actually focus on Hester, but rather the woman who inspired Hester's character and the novel The Scarlett Letter.

The writing is simply exquisite. The story is so beautiful and enchanting. It's almost as if Isobel Gamble has placed you under her spell. Set in Salem this witchy tale flawlessly takes you back and forth between our main characters present time and the Salem witch trials. The tiny flashbacks to the Salem Witch Trials add a haunting and chilling feeling to the overall story.

Hester is the perfect thing to pick up if you're looking for a spellbinding read. It's the perfect tale for October or any time you'd like a haunting witchy tale.

The White Hare by Jane Johnson REVIEW

The White Hare

by Jane Johnson

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Blurb

For fans of Alice Hoffman and Kate Morton, The White Hare is a spellbinding novel about mothers and daughters finding a new home for themselves, the secrets they try to bury, and the local legends that may change their lives.

In the far west of Cornwall lies the White Valley, which cuts deeply through bluebell woods down to the sea at White Cove. The valley has a long and bloody history, laced with folklore, and in it sits a house above the beach that has lain neglected since the war. It comes with a reputation and a strange atmosphere, which is why mother and daughter Magdalena and Mila manage to acquire it so cheaply in the fateful summer of 1954.

Magda has grand plans to restore the house to its former glory as a venue for glittering parties, where the rich and celebrated gathered for cocktails and for bracing walks along the coast. Her grown daughter, Mila, just wants to escape the scandal in her past and make a safe and happy home for her little girl, Janey, a solitary, precocious child blessed with a vivid imagination, much of which she pours into stories about her magical plush toy, Rabbit.

But Janey’s rabbit isn’t the only magical being around. Legend has it that an enchanted white hare may be seen running through the woods. Is it an ill omen or a blessing? As Mila, her mother, and her young daughter adjust to life in this mysterious place, they will have to reckon with their own pasts and with the secrets that have been haunting the White Valley for decades.

Review

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

There is something so timeless and classical about The White Hare. From the moment I laid eyes on the cover until I finished the very last page was like a trance.

The White Hare is a beautiful story. The three main characters in this book are the daughter, the mother, and the grandmother. While the two books are extremely different, this one still gave me Flowers In the Attic vibes. I adore the mother and daughter characters. I loved the way the grandmother's bad behavior is explained but not excused. We get to see her mistakes, hardships and regrets that allow us to see her as human but in a way that romanticize her behavior. This entire book is just excellently crafted. It has a great plot, a great flow, great characters, just great everything. With a hint of magic this captivating story will steal your heart and make you believe in happy endings.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoy Hallmark movies. It has everything a Hallmark movie lover could ever wish for in a book.

If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang REVIEW

If You Could See the Sun

by Ann Liang

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Blurb

Alice Sun has always felt invisible at her elite Beijing international boarding school, where she’s the only scholarship student among China’s most rich and influential teens. But then she starts uncontrollably turning invisible—actually invisible.

When her parents drop the news that they can no longer afford her tuition, even with the scholarship, Alice hatches a plan to monetize her strange new power—she’ll discover the scandalous secrets her classmates want to know, for a price.

But as the tasks escalate from petty scandals to actual crimes, Alice must decide if it’s worth losing her conscience—or even her life.

Review

 
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Full disclosure, I went into this totally blind. I saw the cover and had to read it.

If you could turn invisible, what would you do with your ability? When Alice Sun is faced with this question she chooses what any desperate broke student would do, exchange secrets for money. When a big job goes terribly wrong Alice is forced to ask herself if the payoff was worth the price.

I have to say, I quite enjoyed this story. At first I didn't think I was going to but by the time I hit halfway I was invested. I really liked Alice as a main character. She was relatable and easy to root for. I enjoyed the way we got to see her struggle with herself when deciding if she was going to go through with the final job when so much was depending on it.

Overall, it wasn't a bad read. Once you get to the end there are a lot of typical YA clichés that come out but other than that it was pretty good.

Misery by Stephen King REVIEW

Misery

by Stephen King

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Blurb:

Paul Sheldon is a bestselling novelist who has finally met his number one fan. Her name is Annie Wilkes, and she is more than a rabid reader—she is Paul’s nurse, tending his shattered body after an automobile accident. But she is also furious that the author has killed off her favorite character in his latest book. Annie becomes his captor, keeping him prisoner in her isolated house.

Annie wants Paul to write a book that brings Misery back to life—just for her. She has a lot of ways to spur him on. One is a needle. Another is an axe. And if they don’t work, she can get really nasty.

Review:

I have such a weird relationship with Stephen King's books. While I almost always enjoy the story, I almost always find it way to dragged out.

Misery definitely fits both categories. I love Annie as the villain. She's well written, creepy and insane af. The storyline is deliciously creepy with the perfect amount gore to keep you scared and hooked. Once again King has created this insane character that is able to get under your skin and disturb you in the best ways possible.

Aside from the parts that dragged this was a dam good book. It's a great choice for the scary season. While not my favorite it's definitely up there with the best King novels.