Blog Tour and Giveaway: Luella's Library

Books are magical; we all know this! So, I love when picture books capture the magic, adventure, and armchair traveling that books can provide. 

Today I'm featuring a new picture book, Luella's Library by Tara Lala. This enchanting book recently won the 2025 Family Choice Award and is a must-read for all book lovers. 

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Luella's Library  

Written by Tara Lala 

Illustrated by Francesca Pesci

Ages: 8-10 | 38 Pages 

Publisher: Mascot Kids (2025) | ISBN: 979-8891384798

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Luella loves to read books, but her best friend, Lino, doesn’t.

What Lino soon discovers is that the books in Luella’s library are magical! When one of her books transports them to an enchanted land, they have to face unexpected obstacles and help new friends.

Will Luella and Lino complete their journeys along the way? Will they be able to help their new friend find his way back home? Or will Lino choose his phone over the adventures Luella’s library has in store?"

 

You can purchase a copy of Luella's Library at Barnes & Noble, Amazon or Bookshop. Also, you can also connect with Tara Lala at Instagram.

 

The Giveaway:

I've partnered with Expound Publicity to host a giveaway to celebrate the publication of Luella's Library. Enter for a chance to win a complete set of Tara Lala's magical books, including Luella's Library. Good luck!

Luella's Library: Book Giveaway

 

 

 

Blog Tour: The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes

I'm excited to be part of Berkley's blog tour for Chanel Cleeton's latest novel, The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes. As a huge fan—I'll read anything she writes I couldn't wait to share that the book comes out on September 30th. Make sure to get on your library's hold list or pre-order it, so you won't miss out. This one is said to be perfect for book lovers. Yes, please!

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton

Pub. Date: September 30, 2025

About the book: "London, 2024: When American expat Margo Reynolds is hired to source a book that’s more than one hundred and twenty years old, she thinks her greatest challenge is going to be that there’s only one copy in existence. However, it quickly becomes clear that her client isn’t the only person determined to procure the book at any cost. Thrust into a deadly quest, Margo teams up with an unlikely ally—the man she loved and lost—and is forced to confront the ghosts of her own past as the lingering feelings that simmer between them ignite.

 

Havana, 1966: Pilar Castillo’s days are spent working as a librarian in Havana, her nights spent hoping for her husband’s freedom after his unjust imprisonment. But Pilar has a secret that could jeopardize her life. She’s fighting Fidel’s regime in her own way, and when she comes into possession of a book that was published more than sixty years earlier, she must decide how much she’s willing to risk to protect the literary works entrusted to her care.

 

Boston, 1900: For Cuban teacher Eva Fuentes, traveling from Havana to Harvard to participate in the largest cultural exchange between Cuba and the United States is not only a chance to represent her country at a critical time in its bid for independence, but also an opportunity to work on the book she’s writing. When a moonlit encounter with an enigmatic stranger alters the course of Eva’s summer at Harvard, and as secrets, lies, and forbidden love rise to the surface, Eva’s life—and legacy—is irrevocably changed.

 

You can pre-order your copy of The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes at Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Amazon. Also, you can learn more about Chanel Cleeton by visiting her website and connecting with her on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

Let me know in the comments if you'll be adding The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes to your fall TBR list and if you are a fan of Chanel Cleeton.  

 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Infinite Glade by James Dashner

 

Pages: 280

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Pub. Date: September 9, 2025 

Publisher: Akashic Media

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author:The Maze Runner

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "The Infinite Glade is the explosive finale of The Maze Cutter trilogy—and the epic conclusion to The Maze Runner saga.

War has finally ignited. The Remnant Nation is done waiting. Their mission: destroy the Godhead and everything she stands for. But as Sadina and the islanders fight to protect the Goddess—who claims to be their only hope for Evolution’s survival—the battle reveals unfathomable truths leaving behind devastation that will change the islanders’ future forever.

Determined to save their friends, Isaac and Ximena—along with Old Man Frypan and Jackie—struggle to find their way back to the others when two strangers intercept them, throwing everything they thought they knew about the Cure into doubt. Following the strangers into the unknown, Frypan unearths the shocking truth behind the Cure and the secrets so many have died to protect. But what they uncover is only the beginning.

The descendants must decide between risking their lives and the safety of those they love back home to expose the painful truth behind the maze trials, or walk away from history’s darkest secrets and let the truth remain buried in the Glade forever.

 

 

If you are a longtime fan of The Maze Runner series you know that The Infinite Glade is the epic conclusion to the saga. This is book three in the spinoff series, The Maze Cutter, and it is set 70 some years after The Death Cure. The story focuses on the descents of The Maze Runner and at the start of The Infinite Glade readers realize war has broken out. The Remnant Nation wants to overthrow the Godhead, otherwise known as Alexandra, as they feel she is a false leader. Sadina, and the other Islanders, back the Godhead as they think she is essential to their survival. There's also Isaac, Ximena, Frypan and Jackie who are trying to rejoin their friends. Along their journey, many things ensue, but the most noteworthy is that they learn more about the Cure, which readers have been wondering about this entire series. The characters unearth even more secrets about the Cure as well as its connection to the Maze trials. James Dashner delivers an edge-of-your seat read in The Infinite Glade and fans of The Maze Runner will not be disappointed.

 
There are four different points of view from which The Infinite Glade is told, but that didn’t deter me from fully immersing myself in the story; in fact, it enhanced the tension and pacing. I was eager to uncover the truth about the Cure and the trials, so I appreciated Dashner’s ability to keep me turning the pages.

Alexandra, the antagonist and foil to Isaac and the others, was well-developed in The Infinite Glade. She embodies a charismatic authoritarian who pursues her own agenda at all costs. I found myself rooting for her downfall, and Dashner certainly delivered.

I first read The Maze Runner years ago and was amazed by Dashner’s talent for building suspense. The book could hardly stay on my classroom shelf, as every middle school student wanted to dive into this dystopian world. In fact, my older son just read it last year and enjoyed it as well. It’s beginning to feel like a classic dystopian tale for middle school readers.
 

So, with that said, I am very pleased with the ending of the series. While I’m sad to see it come to a close, I am happy with how Dashner wrapped it up. It’s a hopeful conclusion that I believe longtime fans will appreciate.

 

 The Giveaway:

 

I am so excited to partner with James Dashner to host a giveaway to celebrate the publication of The Infinite Glade. Enter for a chance to win one of five digital copies of The Infinite Glade. Plus, one grand prize winner will receive a signed hardcopy of the book along with exclusive swag. Good luck! 

 

 The Infinite Glade: Book Giveaway

 

Also, if you are like me and can't wait to pick up your own copy of The Infinite Glade, you can purchase it at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop and Amazon. Also, you can learn more about James Dashner at his website and connect with him on Instagram and Facebook.   

 

 

In the comments below, let me know if you are a fan of The Maze Runner series and share your thoughts on its epic conclusion, The Infinite Glade . 

 

Book Review: The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham

Pages: 432

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: September 16, 2025

Publisher: Little, Brown and Co

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: 28 Summers, The Five-Star Weekend,

The Blue Bistro, Golden Girl, The Hotel Nantucket,

Swan Song,  Winter in Paradise, Winter Street and The Perfect Couple

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "It’s move-in day at Tiffin Academy and amidst the happy chaos of friends reuniting, selfies uploading, and cars unloading, shocking news: America Today just ranked Tiffin the number two boarding school in the country. It’s a seventeen-spot jump – was there a typo? The dorms need to be renovated, their sports teams always come in last place, and let’s just say Tiffin students are known for being more social than academic. On the other hand, the campus is exquisite, class sizes are small, and the dining hall is run by an acclaimed New York chef. And they do have fun—lots of parties and school dances, and a piano man plays in the student lounge every Monday night.

But just as the rarefied air of Tiffin is suffused with self-congratulation, the wheels begin to turn – and then they fall off the bus. One by one, scandalous blind items begin to appear on phones across Tiffin’s campus, thanks to a new app called ZipZap, and nobody is safe. From Davi Banerjee, international influencer and resident queen bee, to Simone Bergeron, the new and surprisingly young history teacher, to Charley Hicks, a transfer student who seems determined not to fit in, to Cordelia Spooner, Admissions Director with a somewhat idiosyncratic methodology – everyone has something to hide.

As if high school wasn’t dramatic enough...As the year unfolds, bonds are forged and broken, secrets are shared and exposed, and the lives of Tiffin’s students and staff are changed forever. The Academy is Elin Hilderbrand’s fresh, buzzy take on boarding school life, and a thrilling new direction from one of America’s most satisfying and popular storytellers.

 

 

It's move-in day at Tiffin Academy, a picturesque boarding school in New England. Audre Robinson is the head of school and has a lot to deal with this year after the death of Cinnamon, a beloved student on campus. She committed suicide, so this is not a good look for the academy, and she had to do a lot of damage control. Taking Cinnamon's spot is newcomer Charley Hicks, who, at first glance, does not look like she belongs at Tiffin. The rankings of boarding schools are coming out soon, which keeps Audre on edge; plus, everyone on campus, adults included, has something they are hiding. Resident bad boy, East, who barely attends class, and his father is a board member, also has something up his sleeve this year. Not to mention Cinnamon's ex has a note from her that can only be read before graduation. All of this is looming over the campus, and drama is sure to unfold in The Academy by mother and daughter duo, Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham.
 
I really liked Audre from the start of The Academy; she has a lot to deal with as even the adults on campus have a myriad of issues, especially the new teacher Simone Bergeron. She left her former job after a scandal, so readers know she is a bit of a hot mess. One of the other teachers on campus tries to pursue Simone (!), there's a chef with a gambling problem, a student with an eating disorder, students with relationship drama, and once the boarding school results come out, there are other heads of schools who are out to get Audre. East tries to include Charley in a project in the basement of the school that will definitely keep readers flipping the pages. Plus, throw in an app, Zip Zap, that reports on all the goings on in the school, and it's anonymous!  This doesn't even touch the tip of the iceberg regarding all the drama at Tiffin Academy.
 
As always, Hilderbrand provides readers with a vivid sense of the setting, cuisine, and all the details of boarding school life, likely thanks to her daughter's insights in The Academy. The chef, a former successful restaurateur, elevates the food beyond typical boarding school fare. You can always count on Hilderbrand for delicious descriptions. 

The Academy shifts between various points of view more than the usual for Hilderbrand. While this technique adds a quick pace to the story, it also left me feeling like I couldn’t deeply connect with the characters—they often felt underdeveloped. The plot was reminiscent of Gossip Girl, which I loved years ago, but I’m starting to think I might be a bit too old to be the target audience for The Academy. That said, I do prefer Hilderbrand's beach reads; however, I must admit that I still found this one to be a fun experience.
 
The way Hilderbrand and Cunningham conclude The Academy gives me the impression that a sequel is likely, as there are still several unanswered questions. Additionally, I've heard that the books have already been optioned, which should be exciting to see adapted for the small screen. 

So, please share your thoughts in the comments below! Have you read The Academy, and are you a fan of Elin Hilderbrand? Do you like boarding school stories?

 

 

Romance Roundup (4)

There are times when only a fluffy romance will do—especially if it also sweeps you away to a memorable setting. Both of these novels blend wonderful locations, heartfelt romance, and plenty of charm.

 

 

Insignificant Others by Sarah Jio 

Pages: 304 

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: April 1, 2025

Source: Publisher for review

Publisher: HarperCollins

Other Books By Author: The Look of Love

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Lena Westbrook, a perfectionist and workaholic, has carefully planned and orchestrated every detail of her life. So when her boyfriend of two years breaks up with her on the night she expects him to propose, she’s heartbroken and confused. Lena flees to her beloved aunt’s home on Seattle’s picturesque Bainbridge Island to lick her wounds and recalibrate. That night, she falls asleep in the guest house. But when she awakens the next morning, she’s no longer in a cottage nestled on the Puget Sound, but rather in a chic Parisian apartment—wearing an expensive silk nightgown in bed with a handsome French man who seems to think that Lena is his wife.

From the elegant neighborhoods of Paris to the charming landscape of Kinsale, Ireland, to the sparkling skyline of New York City, and many other unexpected destinations in between, each time Lena awakens, she finds herself somewhere else with someone else. In each experience, she’s given a glimpse of what life might have looked like had she chosen the “road not taken.” And as she becomes more clear-sighted about her past decisions, Lena begins to wonder, were any of these former romantic encounters actually...significant?

Marrying the wish-fulfilling romance of Emily in Paris with the high-concept premise of Groundhog Day, Insignificant Others is a lively, surprising, and enchanting novel that explores the relatable and resonant “what ifs” of life, but most especially, love.

 

 

Lena Westbrook is expecting to get engaged, but instead, her boyfriend dumps her. After years together, they want different things. Heartbroken, Lena escapes to Bainbridge Island to rest and recuperate at her great-aunt's house. But when she wakes up the next day, she is in a "different world." She is with boyfriends of her past - whether significant or not- and she gets to spend the day living the road not taken. She wakes up in Paris, Ireland, New York City, and other swoonworthy destinations, all the while learning what she has missed out on, and what her life could look like had she taken another path. Sarah Jio's Insignificant Others is a heartfelt time slip/time loop novel that fans of this genre will enjoy.
 
What really pulled me into the story of Insignificant Others was the different destinations and their quick pace. One minute you are enjoying a Parisian evening, the next you are in gorgeous Kinsale, Ireland. It bops around like this, which keeps readers interested, especially as they learn more about Lena's past and her relationships. It's an interesting concept and Jio does a good job bringing it to life, although it felt like I couldn't really dive into the characters as, other than Lena, her best friend, and her great-aunt, they kept changing. I also reminded me a bit of The Husbands, but Insignificant Others had a bit more heart than that novel in that it focused on Lena's past relationships and not just random men. However, it's a similar concept, which might take away some of this book's appeal if you are familiar with that novel. Nonetheless, this was a sweet story that I was glad to be lost in.  

 

 

 

Wild Love by Elsie Silver

Pages: 464

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: April 9, 2025 

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "She's been driving him wild for years. The good kind of wild. The bad kind of wild. But mostly, the kind of wild that comes with wanting your best friend's little sister and knowing you can't have her.

Forbes may have labeled Ford Grant the World's Hottest Billionaire, but all he cares about is escaping the press and opening a recording studio in gorgeous small town Rose Hill. Something that comes to a screeching halt when he ends up face-to-face with a young girl who claims he's her biological father. Now, he spends his days balancing business with parenting a sullen twelve-year-old, all while trying desperately to keep his hands the hell off his best friend's sister, Rosie Belmont.

After living in the city, Rosie came blasting back into town like a storm. Beautiful, messy, and chaotic. And one wide-eyed, desperate plea for a job is all it takes for Ford to hire her. He vows to keep her at arm's length. Tries to stick to scowls and grumpy one-liners. But with her, verbal sparring is a type of foreplay―friction that soon turns to blistering heat.

Ford knows damn well he shouldn't cross this line. But shouldn't and can't are two very different things. And the only thing he truly can't do is resist her."

 

Forbes is a billionaire, but all he wants to do is escape the limelight in his small home town of Rose Hill, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains, and work in his recording studio. His life is pretty coapectic, until Cora, a twelve-year-old girl, shows up and upends his life. She claims to be his daughter, and she needs his help. On top of that, his best friend's sister, Rosie Belmont, is back in town, and he has been silently pining for her for years. Rosie has returned to Rose Hill, as she has lost her job and needs a safe place to land. Thankfully, with her background in business, Forbes hires her to work in his recording studio. They have grown up together and share many memories, but they have always been just friends, as in irritating one another as teenagers. However, Forbes has been there for Rosie more times than not, and that comes to the forefront as they spend more time together. They can't resist the chemistry between the two, but this relationship is the last thing either person currently needs. Wild Love by Elsie Silver is a steamy novel that is the start to a great series for romance lovers.
 

Let me be clear: this novel isn’t usually my type of read. However, I have started to enjoy traditional romance novels more and more. Wild Love took me by surprise. I thought Silver did a sensational job of developing the chemistry between Rosie and Forbes—it was smoking hot! This brings me to the open-door scenes: if you prefer your reads without a lot of steamy details, this book isn’t for you, as there are plenty! However, I thought they were well executed and not just added in as an afterthought. Also, I really enjoyed the plotline involving Cora and how she entered Forbes’s life. This definitely contributed to the character development. My only complaint is that the book is over 400 pages long, which seems rather lengthy for a romance novel. However, when I heard that the Rose Hill series was being adapted for Amazon, I knew I had to pick up a copy. I’m glad I did; it did not disappoint, and I’ll definitely continue with the series.

 

I’d love to hear what you think! Have you had a chance to read either Insignificant Others or Wild Love? Let me know in the comments below.

Discover the Best Books to Read If You Love Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is finally coming to an end. I can hardly believe it! At the same time, I'm glad that the characters and the story continued longer than I expected. To honor the final movie of Downton Abbey, I’m sharing some books that are perfect for fans of the show and its movies. Here are a few of my favorites, along with links to my reviews.

 

Adult Fiction:

 

Lady Catherine, the Earl and the Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon

Rutherford Park by Elizabeth Cooke

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

The Girl in the Castle by Santa Montefiore (also known as The Irish Girl)

Belgravia by Julian Fellowes

Ross Poldark by Winston Graham

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig

A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes (or any of the other TV show inspired books)

Cavendon Hall by Barbara Taylor Bradford

An American Duchess by Sharon Page

The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. John 

 

 

 

 

 

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn 

The Address by Fiona Davis

Lady Takes the Case by Eliza Casey

At Summer's End by Courtney Ellis

The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher

The Husband Hunters by Anne de Courcy 

 

 

 

 

The Collector's Daughter by Gill Paul 

Our Kind of People by Carol Wallace 

The Last Debutantes by Georgie Blalock 

The Social Graces by Renee Rosen

The Glorious Guinness Girls by Emily Hourican

YA Novels:

Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame

Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

Cinders & Sapphires by Leila Rasheed

The Heiresses by Alison Rushby

To Be Read Pile:

 

Summerset Abbey by T.J. Brown

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Below Stairs by Margaret Powell

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson

Habits of the House by Fay Weldon

The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonsson

 

You can shop all books here:

 

Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Abigail and the Waterfall

I have a deep love for nature and a strong commitment to protecting the environment. It’s always a pleasure when a picture book highlights these themes. I especially appreciate when such books incorporate spiritual elements, as I believe God and nature are closely connected. There’s something peaceful about gazing at a beautiful waterfall or spending a day by a body of water—at least, that’s how I feel. These themes are beautifully captured in a new picture book titled Abigail and the Waterfall by Sandra L. Richter.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

 

Abigail and the Waterfall

Written by Sandra L. Richter

Illustrated by Michael Corsini

Ages: 4-6 | 32 Pages

Publisher:  IVP Kids (2025) | ISBN: 978-1514008928

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Explore the wonders of creation with Abigail and learn to care for God’s good earth!

Abigail loves Saturdays—especially when her family goes hiking! Follow Abigail and her family as they hike through the lush landscapes of Appalachia, encounter fascinating animals, and marvel at a big, beautiful waterfall. On their adventure, Abigail learns about caring for creation — about loving and stewarding the world God created.

Written by parent and university professor Sandra Richter and brought to life with enchanting illustrations by Michael Corsini, Abigail and the Waterfall is more than just a storybook—it’s an invitation for families to discuss what the Bible says about caring for the environment, animals, and the beautiful world around us.

Why families will love Abigail and the Waterfall:

• A captivating story about faith, nature, and stewardship

• Thought-provoking themes to help kids learn to love the environment

• A special note from the author to encourage meaningful conversations about creation care

Give your young readers a story filled with wonder and discovery. With Abigail and the Waterfall, families can experience the joy of exploring and protecting the world God has entrusted to us. Teach children to love all of God’s good earth and get your copy today!"

 

You can purchase a copy of Abigail and the Waterfall at Bookshop, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IVP Kids. Also, you can learn more about Sandra L. Richter by visiting her website and connecting with her on Instagram. 

 

The Giveaway:

I've partnered with Sandra L. Richter to celebrate the publication of Abigail and the Waterfall. Enter for a chance to win one of five copies of the book. Plus, one grand prize winner will receive a special Book Lover’s Bundle—complete with a Starbucks gift card and the opportunity to select a book of their choice from Amazon. Good luck! Abigail and the Waterfall: Book Giveaway