Book Review: North Queen by Nicola Tyche



Title: North Queen
Author: Nicola Tyche
Series: Crowns #1
Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Publication Date: 4th July 2023
Publisher: Columbia River Publishing
How did I get this book: Netgalley/Publishers 

Synopsis

Gripping and action-packed, Crowns is perfect for fans of thick plots with aching romance. This is a compelling first volume to a deliciously twisting trilogy that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
The Return of a Lost Heir…
The kingdom of Mercia has been at war with the Shadow King and his dark army for ten years. To escape the seer’s vision of her capture, Mercia’s heir to the throne, Princess Norah Andell, is secreted away by her father to keep her safe. But when he dies in battle, so too dies the knowledge of where she’s hidden. She’s lost to the world—until three years later, when she’s found with no memory of who she is or the kingdom that now rests on her shoulders.
A Conflicted Duty…
Loyal and fearless commander of the Mercian army, Alexander Rhemus, has protected the realm against the threat of the Shadow King, awaiting Norah’s return. Not only does she hold the fate of the kingdom, but also his heart. However, when she’s found, he discovers she has no memory of him, or what was once between them. With war still looming, Norah is expected to wed and secure an alliance—one Mercia desperately needs to stand against the Shadow King. Now, with Mercia’s future at stake, Alexander finds himself torn between his duty and his heart.
A Twisted Fate…
Norah is thrust into a world she doesn’t know, in a role she’s unprepared for, to save a kingdom she doesn’t remember. Under the hardship of winter and a dark enemy against them, Mercia is on the verge of breaking. As things start to unravel, the Shadow King draws Norah down a path of twisted fate—and it could cost her everything.
Review

What a book! The first book in a trilogy and it had me turning each page wanting to learn more about the world, Norah herself and what happens next. The world is beautiful, interesting and the storyline is gripping. The love interests for Norah who is crowned Queen to Mercia moments after she's found after being lost for three years with no recollection of where she was all this time and how her "lover" managed to find her in the "wild" where no man has ever made it out.

The Shadow King, oh hello?! I have a lot to say about him - bad, horrible and somehow has a soft side? Is it something I was expecting? No, I was expecting him to be brutal and yet somehow he was soft to Norah and what happened in their story. I feel there is more to Norah when it comes to the animals from the "wild" which i'm sure this will be seen in the next instalment in the series. There wasn't much "spice" as I hoped. There was a slow-burn love triangle between The King & Alexander "her love before she lost her memories".

I'd definitely want to read the next book since it ended on a really good cliffhanger, we do love Norah!

Thank you @netgalley and publishers for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Our Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review: Hide and Seek, Nuts to Eat by Tracy C. Gold


Title: Hide and Seek, Nuts to Eat 
Author: Tracy C. Gold
Illustrator: Nancy Leschnikoff
Genre: Children's Nonfiction
Publication Date: 5th September 2023
Publisher: Sourcebooks Kids
How did I get this book: Netgalley/Publishers 

Synopsis

An adorable rhyming book with educational nonfiction elements woven in. Perfect for homes, classrooms, and libraries!

Follow along as one squirrel hides seeds, nuts, and berries that her neighbors will seek later! Scientific back matter about squirrel hoarding and different types of squirrels from around the world included.

Brrrrr! It's getting colder now.

My coat begins to grow.

Time to start my winter stash

Before the freezing snow!

All my friends like stealing food,

Which isn't very kind.

I'll be smart and hide a ton

For us to seek and find.

Sniff! I find some acorns. Yum!

I stash them in the ground.

Next, come spinning maple seeds.

I pounce. I leap. I bound!

Review

This was such a cute book, the illustrations are adorable and vibrant and the story itself is easy to follow and a lovely book to read to little ones. Read this to my little one last night and she was hooked on each page looking at the pictures whilst I read her the book. The facts about squirrels at the back was very informative, this book is a perfect addition to any child's library and also great for schools! 

Thank you Netgalley & Sourcebooks Kids for this ARC for my honest review.

Our Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review: Let's Just Be Friends by Katy Turner



Title: Let's Just Be Friends 
Author: Katy Turner
Series: N/A
Genre: New Adult Romance
Publication Date: 29th June 2023
Publisher: Joffe Books
How did I get this book: Netgalley/Publishers 

Synopsis

THE MUST-HAVE SUMMER READ OF 2023!

Right person, wrong time? Or better off as friends? Holly Anderson needs to decide.

Cheerful and confident veterinarian Holly doesn’t do flings. Falling in love is not in her five-year plan.

Moving her entire life out of London to a fishing village in the Scottish Highlands is definitely not part of her plan.

But then Holly’s life is turned upside down. She finds herself in tiny Eastercraig, where a run-down surgery, a gorgeous seaside home and two immediate new friends await.

She has barely arrived when a tipsy Greg Dunbar lets himself into her cottage in the middle of the night.

Greg is only back in Eastercraig to discuss the future of the family farm with his stubborn brother. He doesn’t know that Holly has moved in.

Neither of them is looking for romance.

They should just be friends . . .

Right?

Prepare to laugh, cry and feel completely uplifted by this perfect feel-good romantic comedy about taking a chance on love. Fans of Marian Keyes, Beth O’Leary, Rebecca Raisin, Catherine Walsh and Portia MacIntosh won’t be able to put this down! 

Review

This was the cutest "feel-good" romance set in the Scotland. Small town, countryside, animals and romance. This was such a quick read too! Short Chapters which made you want to get that next chapter in and continue reading! The characters were cute, funny at times and a lovely pick me up book. By the end of the book, I was hoping for the best and the book didn't disappoint. Cute, Fun & thrilling!

Thank you @netgalley and publishers for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Our Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Review: Zodiac Academy The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti



Title: The Awakening (#1)
Author: Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
Series: Zodiac Academy 
Genre: Fantasy, New Adult Romance, Dark Bully
Publication Date: July 2019
Publisher: Self Published
How did I get this book: Bought 
Format (e- or p-): Physical
Purchase Book: Waterstones
Synopsis

You have been selected to attend Zodiac Academy, where your star sign defines your destiny.

If you're one of the Fae, elemental magic is in your blood. And apparently it's in ours. As twins born in the month of Gemini, we're a rare breed even in this academy of supernatural a-holes.

Changelings were outlawed hundreds of years ago but I guess our birth parents didn't get the memo. Which means we're totally unprepared for the ruthless world of Fae.

Air. Fire. Water. Earth.

No one has ever harnessed all four of them, until we arrived. And it hasn't made us any friends so far.

As the rarest Elementals ever known, we're already a threat to the four celestial heirs; the popular, vindictive bullies who happen to be some of the hottest guys we've ever seen. It doesn't help that they're the most dangerous beasts in the Academy. And probably on earth too.

Our fates are intertwined, but they want us gone. They've only got until the lunar eclipse to force us out and they'll stop at nothing to succeed.

We never knew we had a birthright to live up to but now that we do, we intend to claim our throne.

We can't expect any help from the faculty when it comes to defending ourselves. So if the dragon shifters want some target practice, the werewolves want someone to hunt or the vampires fancy a snack then we have to be ready. But we've been looking after each other for a long time and fighting back is in our blood.

Today's horoscope: totally screwed.

Review

Okay this was totally binge worthy. Couldn’t stop turning the page! Tory and Darcy was two amazing gals! I’m rating for them two like crazy!

The boys, well I have to say.. I’m a sucker to bad boys.. I dated many of them and hell I married one myself 🤣🙈 so I can’t judge… certain bullying and this “claim” they have on the girls especially the vampies well it’s part of their nature..

Mr Professor Vampie .. well hey, I had high hopes for him and thankfully he paid up his dues by the end of the book as he helped Tory from drowning.. and I can’t be the only one hoping for Darius to have another side to him?!

What the heirs did to Tory and Darcy is simply horrible! But it made the book experience interesting and I’m here for it in a twisted way! I love how each girl had a sort of love triangle that both included a vampie 🤣

Twins: I could easily tell the difference between the two, I feel like I was more Team Tory because she gives off a more bad ass then her sister Darcy who tends to go by BLUE which I love! The whole story of her hair was eye opening too and I loved her story telling.

LOVE TRIANGLE? Darcy has mr professor and Seth where Tory had Darius and Caleb in some twisted way and I’m curious to see how that pans out in the rest of the series…

Was anyone else thinking Caleb may not be as bad? Max - Well I don't feel I got to know him much in this book so I can't really speak on him. Darius - You could tell from day one he was and is trouble, he's a fire breathing dragon after all. Seth - well he just got me mad as soon as he cut off Darcy's hair! It also felt too good to be true.

Overall 

I binged read this book in about 2 days whenever I had the time to read, it was easy to read and follow. I loved the world building, the professors. I literally felt I was in a new Harry Potter world! They also added some Harry Potter references. I've been waiting for a new magical world and this is just it. Yes, there is alot of bullying in here, LIKE ALOT. A teacher slamming a student's head to the desk.. yes this happens. But Hey, i'm here for it! 


Our Rating
The Awakening ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Giving Your Teen's Room an Overhaul

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Parenting a teenager can feel like hard work sometimes. This is a time where they are striving for independence and figuring out their place in the world. But you can make this a little easier for them and provide them with a comfortable space to call their own by revamping their bedroom. Here are some tips that can help you to get this project started out on the right foot!


Redecorating


The first request you might begin to hear from your teen regarding their room is decoration. We often decorate children’s bedrooms in a way to reflect their age and interests. This can mean bright and bold colours paired with wall stickers or wall decals. Of course, your kids will eventually grow out of these. By the time they hit their teen years, you may want to consider redecorating to bring their space up to date. Give them some choice in this. Browse colour swatches and settle on a colour together. You can call in a professional to get the job done quickly and to a high standard, or you can try taking a DIY approach.


Transitioning to a Double Bed


As your teen grows, they may begin to find a single bed, which we so often choose for children, isn’t quite accommodating them anymore. Give them the opportunity to stretch out and sleep comfortably by upgrading their single bed to a double bed. Sure, this may be a relatively costly upgrade, but it can make a huge difference. Plus, it’s recommended that you change a mattress once every eight years, so by the time your kid hits sixteen, it’s time for a mattress replacement anyway.


Individual Additions


Of course, your teen will likely have their own, individual, niche interests. It’s a good idea to try to accommodate for these in their room design. If your kid likes gaming, why not consider gaming beds or another form of gaming setup, such as a gaming desk and chair. If they like pottery, you could add their own wheel to their space. If they like reading, something as simple as a reading lamp attached to their headboard could be highly appreciated. If they like painting, an easel. Small additions that are truly unique to your child can help them to feel comfortable in their space and will make the space more functional for them.


Privacy


Sometimes, the biggest and most appreciated change you can make to your teen’s room doesn’t cost anything. This is privacy. Sure, we may be used to barging into our kids’ space when they are young, but teens often seek more privacy, with their room being the space that they can call their own. Make sure to knock before entering your teen’s room. This will give them a sense of comfort in their space and some control over their living circumstances.


As you can see, a little thought and investment can go a long way when it comes to revamping your teen’s bedroom. Each of the suggestions above could go a long way to making the space more appropriate for them, as well as ensuring that they feel comfortable and appreciated.


Savvy Ways To Fund Xmas Without Eating Into Your Savings

Christmas is coming, and if you haven't already started shopping for gifts and food, you will soon. However, with the economy the way it is this year, I suspect that many people will be doing their best to do Christmas on a budget, rather than go all out this year. Fortunately, there are some strategies you can use to have a fabulous Christmas without having to eat into your savings. Read on to find out what they are. 


Minimize gift-giving 


You can make Christmas easy to fund this year by finding ways to cut down on gift-giving. One option is to run a Secret Santa for each group of adults, meaning you will only need to buy a single gift from a single wish list and you will be done. 


Another savvy way of minimizing the cost of gift giving this year is to limit the kids to four presents that include: 


Something they want 
Something they need 
Something to wear 
Something to read 


Indeed, as very small children can be overwhelmed with gifts at Christmas, doing things this way will not only save you money but space and allow them to enjoy each gift they do get fully. 


Make your Xmas dinner from scratch 


If you want to reduce the cost of Christmas this year, then skipping all the pre-prepped items in the supermarket and making everything from scratch can save you a fortune. Of course, if you are not a keen cook, you’ll need to do a little research on how to prepare your turkey and the best way to get crispy roast potatoes. Although you might even find that cooking Xmas dinner in this way not only saves you money but becomes a new tradition. 


Earn some extra money



Another smart way to fund this year's Xmas festivities without having to dip into your savings is to find ways to earn a bit of extra money. There are plenty of options that will help you do this as well including opening a drop shipping store and selling digital products online. 


You may even wish to consider investing including trading in indices. This is because Indices

trading incurs relatively low costs, and means you don't need to own any stock, just predict the direction of the index's movement to make money. Although, as will all types of investing, educating yourself on the risks involved is vital before you begin. 


Cover your shopping costs by selling items you no longer need 


One of the best ways to fund a great Christmas without having to eat into your savings is to offset the cost of your Xmas shopping by selling items in your home you no longer use or need. Indeed, this is a double bonus because it means you will be decluttering your home to be ready for the next influx of gifts as well as earning extra money. 


In particular pay attention to toys that your little one has lost interest in or has grown out of as other parents looking to save money around this time of year by buying preloved will be happy to snap them up for their own children. 

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