Book Tour: You Truly Assumed // Author Interview and a book-inspired mood board!

Hiya! Today I’ll be interviewing the lovely Laila Sabreen, who’s the author of You Truly Assumed. Enjoy!

PS: An ARC of the book was provided to me by Qamar Blog Tours and Inkyard Press as part of a promotional tour.

Book Info

Book Title: You Truly Assumed 

Author: Laila Sabreen

Genre: Young Adult Fiction 

Publication Date: February 8th, 2022

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Cover illustration: Alex Cabal https://www.instagram.com/acaballz/

Cover design: Gigi Lau https://www.instagram.com/lau.gigi.lau/?hl=en

Synopsis

Dear White People meets Love, Hate, and Other Filters in this powerful, thought-provoking own-voices debut novel about three Black Muslim girls who create a space where they can shatter assumptions and share truths the country doesn’t see.

In this compelling and thought-provoking debut novel, after a terrorist attack rocks the country and anti-Islamic sentiment stirs, three Black Muslim girls create a space where they can shatter assumptions and share truths.

Sabriya has her whole summer planned out in color-coded glory, but those plans go out the window after a terrorist attack near her home. When the terrorist is assumed to be Muslim and Islamophobia grows, Sabriya turns to her online journal for comfort. You Truly Assumed was never meant to be anything more than an outlet, but the blog goes viral as fellow Muslim teens around the country flock to it and find solace and a sense of community.

Soon two more teens, Zakat and Farah, join Bri to run You Truly Assumed and the three quickly form a strong friendship. But as the blog’s popularity grows, so do the pushback and hateful comments. When one of them is threatened, the search to find out who is behind it all begins, and their friendship is put to the test when all three must decide whether to shut down the blog and lose what they’ve worked for…or take a stand and risk everything to make their voices heard.

Find out more about You Truly Assumed with these links!

//Goodreads//Amazon//Barnes and Noble//Bookshop.org//

Now onto the interview!

1. Hi there Laila! I’m so happy to have you with us here today! Before we begin, do you mind sharing some random facts about yourself?

Laila: Hi Saniya, thank you so much for having me! Three random facts about myself is that my favorite animals are ducklings, I enjoy watching reality tv to relax, and lastly, I actually used to also be a book blogger back when I was in high school!

Saniya: That’s so amazing, I think it’s awesome you were also a book blogger!

2. You Truly Assumed is like no other story I’ve ever read. It’s so heart-wrenching and very powerful. What inspired you to write such a thought-provoking story?

Laila: I was inspired to write You Truly Assumed based on everything that was going on around me at the time. When I started writing the book, that was around the time where the Muslim Ban was in the news and people were talking about anti-Muslim hate because of how it was being used politically. I was also processing the results of the 2016 election and how that impacted me as a young Black Muslim woman. The blogging aspect of the story was inspired by the last fun fact that I shared above! I enjoyed creating content, so I brought that past interest to You Truly Assumed as well!

3. Congratulations on your debut novel! You Truly Assumed is amazing! I can’t wait for other people to read it. If I may ask, what advice would you have given yourself when you first started writing?

Laila: Thank you so much! In terms of advice, one thing that I wish I would’ve told myself when I first started writing is that the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be written. I can be a bit of a perfectionist, and so I would often start stories and then lose interest when I realized I wasn’t able to get it down the way I envisioned it. But I’ve learned that getting it that way comes with through revising, and that the first draft is really just telling the story to myself.

4. The cover of You Truly Assumed is stunning! What was the cover design process like?

Laila: I absolutely love the cover of You Truly Assumed as well! The cover design process was super collaborative. I shared character inspiration to give an idea of how I envisioned the characters, and I also shared two cover artists whose style I really liked with my publishing team. One of those cover artists was available and interested in the project, which was so great! From there, I saw different cover sketches and was able to pick the one that I felt represented You Truly Assumed more. The hardest decision was deciding which color to go with for the cover, but I absolutely love the warm coral color in the background.

Saniya: I love the coral color too! It’s so beautiful.

5. Lastly, what do you hope readers will take away from your novel?

Laila: One message that I hope that readers will take away from YOU TRULY ASSUMED is that there’s no one way to make change! For example, with the blog, Sabriya writes the content, Zakat provides the illustrations and graphics, and Farah does a lot of the behind-the-scenes work with
coding and web design. Each character is making change, but they’re doing so in a way that’s unique to them and that they’re passionate about. So, I hope readers take away the message that they too can make change in a way that’s true to who they are!

Saniya: I love this message so much!

My You Truly Assumed Mood board!

Disclaimer: The pictures in the mood board are not mine.

About the Author

Laila Sabreen is a writer of young adult contemporary. Raised in the Washington, DC area, she currently attends Emory University and majors in English and Sociology. Her love of writing began as a love of reading when she fell in love with the Angelina Ballerina series. When she isn’t writing, she can be found working on essays, creating playlists that are way too long, and watching This Is Us.

//Website//Instagram//Goodreads//Twitter//

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Thank you so much for reading this tour stop post! I hope you decide to check out You Truly Assumed. It’s an amazing book, and is so inspiring. Have a fabulous day!

Blog Tour: Journey to the Heart of the Abyss (Light the Abyss #2) // A Moodboard!

Hiya! Today I bring you a mood board for the incredibly atmospheric novel; Journey to the Heart of the Abyss (Light the Abyss #2). Enjoy!

Book Info

Title: Journey to the Heart of the Abyss (Light the Abyss #2)

Author: London Shah

Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction

Publication Date: October 26, 2021

Synopsis

The sequel to London Shah’s thrilling futuristic mystery The Light at the Bottom of the World, perfect for fans of Illuminae and These Broken Stars.

Leyla McQueen has finally reunited with her father after breaking him out of Broadmoor, the illegal government prison—but his freedom comes at a terrible cost. As Leyla celebrates his return, she must grapple with the pain of losing Ari. Now separated from the boy who has her heart and labeled the nation’s number one enemy, Leyla must risk illegal travel through unchartered waters in her quest for the truth behind her father’s arrest.

Across Britain, the fallout from Leyla’s actions has escalated tensions between Anthropoid and non-Anthropoid communities, bringing them to an all-time high. And, as Leyla and her friends fight to uncover the startling truths about their world, she discovers her own shocking past—and the horrifying secrets behind her father’s abduction and arrest. But as these long-buried truths finally begin to surface, so, too, do the authorities’ terrible future plans. And if the ever-pervasive fear prevents the people from taking a stand now, the abyss could stay in the dark forever.

Find out more about Journey to the Heart of the Abyss with these links!

//Goodreads//Amazon//Barnes and Nobles//Book Depository//Indigo//Indiebound//

Here is the tour schedule link. If you have time, do check out the other lovely tour stops as well!

Moodboard

Here’s a moodboard I made for the book!

About the Author

London Shah is a British Muslim of Pashtun ethnicity. She has lived in Britain’s capital for most of her life, via England’s beautiful North. On any given day she can be found daydreaming of a different past, an alternate present, or some surreal future. She enjoys drinking copious amounts of tea, eating all the sweets and cakes, strolling through Richmond Park or along the Thames, getting lost on an evening in the city’s older, darker alleyways—preferably just after it’s rained—listening to punk rock, and losing herself in a fab SFF book or film. The Light at the Bottom of the World is her debut novel. The sequel Journey to the Heart of the Abyss releases 26.10.21.

//Website//Instagram//Goodreads//

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Thank you so much for reading this tour stop! I hope you check out Journey to the Heart of the Abyss, and love this series as much as I do. Have a great day!

Blog Tour: For All Time // Review & Top 5 Reasons to Read This Book!

Hi! I hope your day has been amazing. Today I’m bringing you a review, along with five reasons to read For All Time by Shanna Miles. Enjoy!

Book Info

Title: For All Time

Author: Shanna Miles

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary, Fantasy, and Romance.

Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Release Date: September 28th 2021

Buy Link: https://bookshop.org/a/11727/9781534485976

Synopsis

“An unforgettable and artfully crafted romance right down to the very last page.” —Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’

“A romance for the ages. Fresh voices and original predicaments make this one perfect little novel.”

—Stacey Lee, award-winning author of The Downstairs Girl

The Sun Is Also a Star meets Outlander in this vivid, utterly romantic debut novel about two teens who relive their tragic love story over and over until they uncover what they must do to change their fate.

Tamar is a musician, a warrior, a survivor. Fayard? He’s a pioneer, a hustler, a hopeless romantic.

Together, Tamar and Fayard have lived a thousand lives, seen the world build itself up from nothing only to tear itself down again in civil war. They’ve even watched humanity take to the stars. But in each life one thing remains the same: their love and their fight to be together. One love story after another. Their only concern is they never get to see how their story ends. Until now.

When they finally discover what it will take to break the cycle, will they be able to make the sacrifice?

Tour Schedule

Here is the tour schedule link. If you have time, do check out the other lovely tour stops as well!

Review

For All Time is a beautifully crafted story on one’s will to never give up.

What I love most about the novel is its eccentric time travel. Tamar and Fayard, the main characters, travel to the thirteen hundreds! I’ve seen few books pull off such old time periods so uniquely. 

Moreover, the characters were such a delight! I’ll admit, at first, I wasn’t too fond of Tamar. I found her to be rather obnoxious. Fayard on the other hand, I liked from the start. While I didn’t particularly love some characters, there were quite a few I had a soft spot for. 

The writing was absolutely incredible! It was emotional and raw. Without spoiling too much, you could really feel the love Tamar and Fayard had for each other.

In addition, I really loved the dialogue. It was the right amount snarky, and heartbreaking. 

Unfortunately though, I found the time jumps to be rather confusing. At times they felt too sudden and out of place. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! While the book was confusing at times, it was simply too gripping to put down. If you’re looking for a speculative or emotional story then I highly recommend For All Time.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Top Five Reasons to Read For All Time

1. Diverse story

The main characters Tamar and Fayard are of African American descent!

2. A look at the thirteen hundreds

For All Time takes readers through a journey into the thirteen hundreds! It’s not a time period I’m 100% familiar with, so it was very refreshing to read about.

3. There’s Musician Rep!

Teens who play instruments are rare to see in YA, so I was very happy to see that Tamar plays an instrument.

4. Witty Main Character

Tamar is very witty. I liked how straightforward and blunt she was at times. It was nice to see her taking charge to achieve her goals instead of just sulking about.

5. A story where more than one character time travels

Now, this might be an unusual reason, but it’s definitely a meaningful one. I’ve only ever read books where one person time travels, not two people. This led way for such an interesting dynamic that you don’t want to miss!

About the Author

Shanna Miles is an author, reviewer and librarian who lives in Georgia with her two daughters, and educator husband and advocates tirelessly for appropriate representation for marginalized people in children’s fiction. Her passion is Paranormal Romance, but she also has a deep affinity for diverse Science Fiction like that of Octavia Butler and Sherri L. Smith. “Willow Born” is Shanna Miles’ latest work.

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Alrighty friends, that’s a wrap! I hope you enjoyed. Have a wonderful day!

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Blog Tour: It All Comes Back to You // Author Interview & Top 5 Reasons to Read This Book!

Hiya everyone! Today I’ll be hosting a blog tour stop for It All Comes Back to You by Farah Naz Rishi. This novel has been one of my most anticipated reads of the century! So I’m very excited for this tour. I hope you enjoy!

Book Info

Title: It All Comes Back to You

Author: Farah Naz Rishi

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Publication Date: September 14th 2021

Content Warnings: References to death of a parent, references to drug use, emotional abuse, anxiety, guilt

Synopsis

After Kiran Noorani’s mom died, Kiran vowed to keep her dad and sister, Amira, close. Then out of the blue, Amira announces that she’s dating someone and might move cross-country with him. Kiran is thrown.

Deen Malik is thrilled that his older brother, Faisal, has found a great girlfriend, even if it’s getting serious quickly. Maybe now their parents’ focus will shift off Deen, who feels intense pressure to be the perfect son.

When Deen and Kiran come fact to face, they silently agree to keep their past a secret. Four years ago–before Amira and Faisal met–Kiran and Deen dated. But Deen ghosted Kiran with no explanation. Kiran will stop at nothing to find out what happened, and Deen will do anything, even if it means sabotaging his brother’s relationship, to keep her from reaching the truth. Though the chemistry between Kiran and Deen is undeniable, can either of them take down their walls?

Find out more about It All Comes Back to You with these links!

//Goodreads//Amazon//Barnes and Noble//Book Depository//Indigo//Indiebound//

Here is the tour schedule link. If you have time, do check out the other lovely tour stops as well!

Now onto the interview!

1. Hi there Farah! I’m super excited to have you here with us today. Before we begin the interview, do you mind sharing some random facts about yourself?

Farah: Hi hi!!! Thank you for having me—I’m so happy to be here! 😀
Okay, some random facts: I foster kittens (so I almost always have some random kittens running around my office while I write). I really like old movies (one of my favorites is Some Like it Hot). I have really bad social anxiety and my way to cope is weight-lifting for some ungodly reason. Oh, and my favorite desi dessert is rasmalai, with laddoo being a close second.

2. It All Comes Back to You is amazing, and I can’t wait for other people to read it as well! May I ask, what inspired you to write it?

Farah: Ahh, thank you, thank you! ❤
I’ve always wanted to write a second-chance romance story, and one day, it felt like Deen just strolled into my head. I adore characters who were kind of a jerk in the past—think Naveen from Princess and the Frog or Flynn from Tangled—but their behavior is simply a mask to hide their insecurities and fears. When Deen popped in my head, I began asking myself a thousand questions: who is he, what did he do in the past, what is it that he truly
wants more than anything else? The image of Kiran followed soon after, which of course then snowballed into this much bigger story.

3. The book features two desi characters (whom I love). Do you see yourself in Kiran or Deen?

Farah: I’ve asked myself the same question a thousand times and I’m still not fully sure the answer! At first, I thought I had more in common with Kiran: her stubbornness, her protectiveness, her willing to do anything to protect the people she loves. But there are parts of Deen that are just so relatable, too. I think almost all of us wear masks, and we all have some things in our pasts we may regret (or at least wish we did differently). I also think the shame of not being a “good enough” Muslim, whatever that means, is also (unfortunately) relatable for a lot of people—whether it be the pressure coming from our parents, or our community, or ourselves.  Short answer? Both 😊 But honestly, as the author, I relate most to Asher because he’s just so Done™. 

Saniya: I love how you relate to each character in some way!

4.  As a South Asian Muslim myself, I’m elated to see more authentic desi muslim representation in the media. What do you hope young desi readers will take from the book?

Farah: The crux of the story is about how broadly speaking, desi people suck with communication. We’re not good at expressing ourselves or showing our pain. We don’t know how to seek help when we should. And it makes sense; desi people are community-based—it’s how we’ve survived years of war and famine and colonialism—so we’ve internalized this idea that it’s better to hide our inner struggles in order to protect family honor. We don’t like showing weakness. But sometimes, like in the case of It All Comes Back to You, that can backfire. It can be detrimental to our collective mental health. Heck, I grew up with that same mentality and that’s partly why I have anxiety. 

5. To end off this interview, I have a very, very, very important question to ask you. Do you prefer Naan or rice? 

Farah: OH NO, WHY WOULD YOU ASK THIS?! Oh gosh. This one’s so hard. Hmm…….gosh, okay, if I have to pick…I’d go with rice. The smell of basmati reminds me of home. 

Saniya: I couldn’t agree more. 😆

Top Five Reasons to Read It All Comes Back to You

1. The main characters are South Asian Muslims

The representation in the book is awesome, and diverse! It All Comes Back to You has a cast of desi characters with nuanced representation, which I think is incredibly important to have in the media.

2. It has all the wedding vibes

I love that the book showcases desi weddings, because they can be such festive times filled with fun, and joy.

3. The themes of mental health

Without spoiling too much, mental health is such a big part of the story. Whether one’s mental state is good or not can greatly affect the actions they take. And this novel is a prime example of that.

4. Will make you feel all the feels

It All Comes Back to You might look like a rom-com, but don’t let it’s gorgeous yet decieving cover fool you. This is such an emotional story, but in such an amazing way.

5. A+ Banter

I mean, who doesn’t love good banter?

Giveaway! (US Only)

One winner will receive a finished copy of It All Comes Back to you. The giveaway starts onSeptember 13th and ends on September 20th.

Click this link for more info!!

About the Author

Farah Naz Rishi is a Pakistani-American Muslim writer and voice actor, but in another life, she’sworked stints as a lawyer, a video game journalist, and an editorial assistant. She received her B.A. inEnglish from Bryn Mawr College, her J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School, and her love of weaving stories from the Odyssey Writing Workshop. When she’s not writing, she’s probably hanging out with video game characters. You can find her at home in Philadelphia, or on Twitter at @farahnazrishi.

//Website//Instagram//Goodreads//Twitter//

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Thank you so much for reading this tour stop post! I hope you decide to check out It All Comes Back to You. Have a fabulous day!

The Mid Year Freakout Book Tag!

Hiya!! It’s been a while since I’ve done a tag, so I thought why not do one again? For those of you who don’t know, this tag is a bit like a six month bookish wrap up in tag form. I hope you enjoy!

The Best Books You’ve Read so Far

New Releases You Haven’t Read Yet, but Want To

Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of the Year

There are so many that come to mind! But here are the first three that I thought of. It All Comes Back to You by Farah Naz Rishi looks so fun! The cover is also stunning as well! The Lady or the Lion by Aamna Qureshi is a YA fantasy with a Pakistani setting. I’ve never read a fantasy inspired by Pakistani culture, so I’m super excited to read it! Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quach is another release I’m also very excited for!

Biggest Disappointment

I had such high hopes for One Last Stop. However, it unfortunately missed the mark for me.

Biggest Surprise

This is a middle grade retelling of three fairytales but with a desi (South Asian) twist. And I adored it! It was filled with girl power, fun plots, and amazing representation!

Favorite New to You Author

We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon was my first book of theirs, and probably won’t be the last!

Favorite Debut Author

Sarah Suk’s debut novel was one of my favorites this year. I didn’t think I’d love it as much as I did, but Made in Korea was so good!

Newest Favorite Characters

I really enjoyed reading about Evie and X from Nicola Yoon’s newest book Instructions for Dancing! They were both funny and charming.

A Book That Made You Cry

Juleah del Rosario’s Turtle Under Ice was incredibly heartbreaking and emotional. It’s about a mother’s death and sisterly love, and was just so beautiful.

A Book That Made You Happy

A Taste For Love by Jennifer Yen was such a fun book on food and familial relationships. It definitely put a smile on my face!

Favorite Post You’ve Done This Year

In January I did a post where I gave recommendations based off of people’s favorite Avatar the Last Airbender and Legend of Korra character. Feel free to read the post here!

Books You Need to Read By the End of the Year

I hope you enjoyed the tag! Here are some lovely people I nominate to do this one as well. (This is just for fun, so if you don’t feel like it, than no worries!) Also, if you’ve done this tag before, feel free to link it in the comments so I can read yours as well. 😀

I tag…

• Koo @ Koo Reviews
• J @ The Midnight Book Blog
• Cherelle @ A Bolt out of the Book
• Rukky @ Eternity Books
• Phoenix @ Books with Wings
• Madeline @ The Bookish Mutant
• And you!

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Blog Tour: How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe // Journal Spread & Top 5 Reasons to Read This Book!

Hiya everyone! Today I’ll be hosting a blog tour stop for Raquel Vasquez Gilliland’s book How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe. Stay tuned for a journal spread, and the top five reasons as to why you should read this book. Enjoy!

Book Info

Title and Author: How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliand

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Publishing Date: August 10, 2021

Synopsis

The Hating Game meets I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter in this irresistible romance starring a Mexican American teen who discovers love and profound truths about the universe when she spends her summer on a road trip across the country.

When her twin sister reaches social media stardom, Moon Fuentez accepts her fate as the ugly, unwanted sister hidden in the background, destined to be nothing more than her sister’s camerawoman. But this summer, Moon also takes a job as the “merch girl” on a tour bus full of beautiful influencers and her fate begins to shift in the best way possible.

Most notable is her bunkmate and new nemesis, Santiago Phillips, who is grumpy, combative, and also the hottest guy Moon has ever seen.

Moon is certain she hates Santiago and that he hates her back. But as chance and destiny (and maybe, probably, close proximity) bring the two of them in each other’s perpetual paths, Moon starts to wonder if that’s really true. She even starts to question her destiny as the unnoticed, unloved wallflower she always thought she was.

Could this summer change Moon’s life as she knows it?

Find out more about How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe with these links!

//Goodreads//Amazon//Barnes and Noble//Book Depository//Indigo//IndieBound//

Here is the tour schedule link! If you have time, do check out the other amazing tour stops as well!

Top 5 Reasons to Read This Book

1. The Focus on Self-Love

I absolutely adored how real this books was! It was focused on a number of important topics, my favorite being the talk of loving oneself. It’s done in such a raw and beautiful way.

2. The Witty Banter

The witty banter between Moon and Santiago was hilarious! If you love enemies-to-lovers, than I highly recommend this book.

3. Twins Sisters!

As a twin myself, I was elated to discover that Moon is twins with her sister Star.

4. The Family Dynamic

Moon and Star’s mother treats the two differently. She dotes on how amazing Star is, but completely neglects Moon. The talk about how families aren’t perfect was refreshing to see, especially in YA!

5. The Stunning Cover

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe has one of the most beautiful covers I’ve ever seen. I absolutely adore the way purple hues, plants, and moons were used to create such a beautiful cover!

My Journal Spread

Here is my journal spread! I apologize for the bad image quality. 😅 Nevertheless, I still hope you like it!

About The Author

Raquel Vasquez Gilliland is a Mexican American poet, novelist and painter. She received her MFA in poetry from the University of Alaska, Anchorage in 2017. She’s most inspired by fog and seeds and the lineages of all things. When not writing, Raquel tells stories to her plants and they tell her stories back. She lives in Tennessee with her beloved family and mountains.

//Website//Instagram//Goodreads//Twitter//

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Thank you so much for reading this tour stop post, I hope you enjoyed! Have a amazing day!

Blog Tour: Blood Like Magic // A Review and Mood Board!

Hey everyone! Today’s post is an exciting one because I’ll be hosting a blog tour stop for Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury. Enjoy!

Book Info

Title: Blood Like Magic

Author: Liselle Sambury

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Publication Date: June 15th 2021

Synopsis

A rich, dark urban fantasy debut following a teen witch who is given a horrifying task: sacrificing her first love to save her family’s magic. The problem is, she’s never been in love—she’ll have to find the perfect guy before she can kill him.

After years of waiting for her Calling—a trial every witch must pass in order to come into their powers—the one thing Voya Thomas didn’t expect was to fail. When Voya’s ancestor gives her an unprecedented second chance to complete her Calling, she agrees—and then is horrified when her task is to kill her first love. And this time, failure means every Thomas witch will be stripped of their magic.

Voya is determined to save her family’s magic no matter the cost. The problem is, Voya has never been in love, so for her to succeed, she’ll first have to find the perfect guy—and fast. Fortunately, a genetic matchmaking program has just hit the market. Her plan is to join the program, fall in love, and complete her task before the deadline. What she doesn’t count on is being paired with the infuriating Luc—how can she fall in love with a guy who seemingly wants nothing to do with her?

With mounting pressure from her family, Voya is caught between her morality and her duty to her bloodline. If she wants to save their heritage and Luc, she’ll have to find something her ancestor wants more than blood. And in witchcraft, blood is everything.

Content Warnings: Whipping scene within the context of slavery, gun/police violence, discussion of and character with an eating disorder, blood/gore/violence, death, substance abuse/addiction, mentions of child neglect.

Find out more about Blood Like Magic with these links!

//Goodreads//Amazon//Barnes and Noble//Book Depository//Indigo//Indiebound//

Here is the tour schedule link! If you have time, do check out the other lovely tour stops as well!

Review

Filled with thrilling adventure and lovable characters, Liselle Sambury delivers a 2021 release you do not want to miss.

First, let’s talk about the plot. A futuristic world revolving around a BIPOC Canadian witch sounded amazing. Luckily, the book was just as good as I hoped it’d be! The plot was constantly moving, and I was gripping on to every page wondering what would happen next.

Moreover, the characters were very likeable! Our main character Voya is strong and relatable. She constantly tries to put on a brave face, even when the odds aren’t in her favour. Her friends and family also play a huge role in the book. I absolutely adored the best friend dynamic, as well as Voya’s relationship with her grandmother. It was so unique and amazing to see!

The dialogue had it’s snarky and witty aspects to it, that I will admit, were very enjoyable. Voya and her best friend Keis had some sweet moments, but kept a steady flow of sarcastic banter. 

Unfortunately though, I did have some trouble with the writing. It was a bit too dull, which then caused the pacing to slow. I also think the book would have benefited from more descriptions and less dialogue. Blood Like Magic is set in the future, so I was hoping to get more insight on how things would work 30+ years from now. 

The overall enjoyment level of Blood Like Magic is fairly high. Personally, I feel as though it could have benefited from a shorter page length. Nevertheless, if the idea of futuristic witches intrigues you, then I say read on!

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.75 out of 5 stars)

Mood Board

About The Author

Liselle Sambury is a Trinidadian-Canadian author who grew up in Toronto, and her brand of writing can be described as “messy Black girls in fantasy situations.” In her free time, she shares helpful tips for upcoming writers and details of her publishing journey through a YouTube channel dedicated to helping demystify the sometimes complicated business of being an author. She is represented by Kristy Hunter at The Knight Agency.

Want to follow the author? Visit the links down below!

//Website//Instagram//Goodreads//YouTube//Twitter//

This tour was organized by TBR & Beyond Tours

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Thank you so much for reading this post, I hope you enjoyed! Have a fabulous day!

Blog Tour: The Marvelous // Author Interview With Claire Kann!

Hiya! I hope you are well. I’m super excited for today’s post because I’m going to be hosting a blog tour stop and interview with Claire Kann, the author of The Marvelous! Before we get into the tour, here is a bit about the author’s newest novel…

Book Info

Title: The Marvelous

Author: Claire Kann

Genres: Young Adult Contemporary, Mystery, Young Adult

Publication Date: June 8th 2021

Synopsis

From the author of Let’s Talk About Love and If It Makes You Happy, this exuberant YA Novel follows six teens locked together in a mansion, contending for a life-changing cash prize in a competition run by a reclusive heiress.

Everyone thinks they know Jewel Van Hanen. Heiress turned actress turned social media darling who created the massively popular video-sharing app, Golden Rule.

After mysteriously disappearing for a year, Jewel makes her dramatic return with an announcement: she has chosen a few lucky Golden Rule users to spend an unforgettable weekend at her private estate. But once they arrive, Jewel ingeniously flips the script: the guests are now players in an elaborate estate-wide game. And she’s tailored every challenge and obstacle to test whether they have what it takes to win–at any cost.

Told from the perspective of three dazzling players–Nicole: the new queen of Golden Rule; Luna: Jewel’s biggest fan; and Stella: a brilliant outsider–this novel will charm its way into your heart and keep you guessing how it all ends because money isn’t the only thing at stake.

Find out more about The Marvelous with these links!

//Goodreads//Amazon//Barnes and Noble//iBooks//Kobo//Google Play//

Here is the tour schedule link! If you have time, do check out the other lovely tour stops as well!

Giveaway (US/Canada Only)

One winner will receive a print copy of Made in Korea. The giveaway will end on June 17th 2021.

Click the link below to enter the giveaway!!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251234335/

Onto the interview!!

1. Hi there Claire! I’m beyond excited to have you here with us today. If you don’t mind, would you be so kind to share a bit about yourself?

Claire: Hello! My name is Claire and I’m the author of several young adult novels ranging in topics from romance to adventure. I love cats, spend way too much time on youtube, and would dominate in a trivia night competition.

2. The Marvelous has such a dazzling cover. May I ask how the design came to be?

Claire: All credit goes to Liz Dresner, Associate art Director at Macmillan and the artist, Rachelle Baker.

3. What is a typical writing session like for you? Do you play music, or perhaps have a specific routine?

Claire: A typical writing session for me involves wasting time, uh I mean amping myself up to get started. First I stare at the word doc file before deciding to check the news to make sure nothing major is happening that I need to read about. Then I open the document–as soon as I see a hint of white background my screen inexplicably changes to Instagram? Weird how that always happens. But! Since I’m already there, I spend some time scrolling the timeline and watching stories. The moment I’ve realized a criminal amount of time has passed, I check my document and am shocked to find my word count has not magically increased on its own! Rude! Somehow I muster up the strength to reread what I wrote the day before–and hey! It’s (usually) not too bad. Finally free from distractions and convinced I’m not completely talentless, I turn on my playlist and begin writing.

Saniya: I love this so much 😆.

4. The Marvelous tells an incredibly unique story, and I’m beyond excited for its release. What inspired you to create such an intriguing mystery told through the eyes of three young people?

Claire: I wanted to write a story where kids got to be kids without any external pressure forcing them to be a certain way or thing. I wanted them to have fun and make friends and maybe get creeped out a little. That’s all.

Saniya: That’s very cool, thank you for sharing!

5. Many of your books include fat positive themes, which I am totally here for! Why do you think it’s important to portray diverse narratives in the media?

Claire: I believe the media we consume should be a reflection of the world we live in–whether it be the bodies we inhabit or the dreams we aspire to, no matter how mundane or fantastical. I’m in a fortunate position that allows me to contribute to that.

Saniya: I definitely agree, and it’s so amazing that you’re able to contribute as well.

6. Lastly, what aesthetic would you prescribe to your book?

Claire: A night out with friends at a carnival. All vibes, rides, and delicious food.

Saniya: Ooo love it!

About The Author

Claire Kann is the author of LET’S TALK ABOUT LOVE and an award-winning online storyteller. In her other life, she works for a nonprofit that you may have heard of where she daydreams like she’s paid to do it. Find out more by visiting her website: www.clairekann.com (and while you’re there, tell her about your cats. She loves cats. A lot.)

Want to follow the author? Visit the links down below!

//Instagram//Goodreads//Facebook//Twitter//Newsletter//

This tour was organized by Xpresso Book Tours

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Thank you so much for reading this post, I hope you enjoyed! Have a fabulous day!

Blog Tour: Made In Korea // Author Interview With Sarah Suk!

Hiya! Today’s post is a very exciting one because I’m going to be hosting yet another blog tour stop and interview with Sarah Suk, the author of Made in Korea! Before we get into the tour, here is a bit about the author’s debut novel…

Book Info

Title: Made in Korea by Mariko Turk

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Publishing Date: May 18, 2021

Synopsis

Frankly in Love meets Shark Tank in this feel-good romantic comedy about two entrepreneurial Korean American teens who butt heads—and maybe fall in love—while running competing Korean beauty businesses at their high school.

There’s nothing Valerie Kwon loves more than making a good sale. Together with her cousin Charlie, they run V&C K-BEAUTY, their school’s most successful student-run enterprise. With each sale, Valerie gets closer to taking her beloved and adventurous halmeoni to her dream city, Paris.

Enter the new kid in class, Wes Jung, who is determined to pursue music after graduation despite his parents’ major disapproval. When his classmates clamor to buy the K-pop branded beauty products his mom gave him to “make new friends,” he sees an opportunity—one that may be the key to help him pay for the music school tuition he knows his parents won’t cover…

What he doesn’t realize, though, is that he is now V&C K-BEAUTY’s biggest competitor.

Stakes are high as Valerie and Wes try to outsell each other, make the most money, and take the throne for the best business in school—all while trying to resist the undeniable spark that’s crackling between them. From hiring spies to all-or-nothing bets, the competition is much more than either of them bargained for.

But one thing is clear: only one Korean business can come out on top.

Find out more about Made in Korea with these links!

//Goodreads//Amazon//Barnes and Noble//Book Depository//Indigo//IndieBound//

Here is the tour schedule link! If you have time, do check out the other amazing tour stops as well!

Without further ado, here is the interview!

1. Hi there Sarah! I just want to say that I’m so excited to have you here with us today. Before we get into the interview, do you mind telling us a bit about yourself?

Sarah: Thank you so much for having me! So I’m Sarah – nice to meet you – and I live in Vancouver, Canada where I write books for kids and teens. Other than writing and reading, I love film, photography, spending time by the water, and making souffle pancakes.

2. Any book that mentions Hi-Chews is a win for me! So I have to ask, what’s your favorite Hi-Chew flavor? After reading your (lovely) novel, I’ve learnt that there is a flavor for every occasion. What flavor would you give Made In Korea?

Sarah: My favorite flavor would have to be strawberry. As for a flavor for Made in Korea, I’d have to say mango! Mango is Valerie’s celebration flavor, and this book is very celebratory to me. Both in personal ways, because it is my debut novel, and in the book itself, because I feel like the story is a
celebration of many things, including Korean culture and teen entrepreneurship.

Saniya: Ooo good choice, strawberry is always nice! I NEED to try the celebration flavor now. 😆

3. I love how Made In Korea revolves around young entrepreneurs! What inspired the entrepreneurial aspect of the novel?

Sarah: I love that part too! I was just really intrigued by the idea of students selling things at school and running their own businesses. Teens are so innovative and creative, and I wanted to explore that through an entrepreneurial lens in Made in Korea.

4. If I may ask, what is your favorite scene in the book and why?

Sarah: Definitely all the scenes between Valerie and Halmeoni (her grandmother). Those were some of my favorite moments in the book. They were just very healing and tender. I also loved writing the Halloween scenes!

Saniya: 100% agree. Valarie and her halmeoni have the best bond. Ahh yes, the Halloween scenes are iconic!

5. Do you have a specific writing routine?

Sarah: I feel like this changes with each project and sometimes even with each day, but there a few things that have stayed consistent in my writing routine. I always write down my writing goal for the day in my bullet journal to help me keep track of what I need to do. Then I usually make myself a cup of tea, sit down at my desk, procrastinate for a while, and realize I should probably turn off my wi-fi if I want to get any work done. Sometimes I also listen to an instrumental or lofi playlist while I write to
help me focus.

Saniya: It’s so cool that you use a bullet journal, they truly are helpful. I liked what you said about how your routine changes with each project too!

6. Is there a character in the book that you resonate most with?

Sarah: I resonate with each of them in different ways because I feel like I can see a part of myself in every character. For example, I relate with Valerie’s ambition and tendency to define herself by her goals, as well as Wes’ passion for the arts and people pleasing nature. I even resonate with some of the side characters like Charlie and Pauline in their loyalty and inquisitiveness.

7. What do you hope readers will take away from Made In Korea after reading it?

Sarah: Mostly, I hope readers will feel something while reading the book. Whether it makes them laugh or reflect or empathize with a character, I hope there would be something in the story that sparks a sense of joy.

Saniya: That’s such a beautiful message, I love it!

Giveaway (US/Canada Only)

One winner will receive a finished copy of Made in Korea. The giveaway will end on May 24th.

Click this link to enter the giveaway!!

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fc15a59531/

About The Author

Sarah Suk (pronounced like soup with a K) lives in Vancouver, Canada where she writes stories and admires mountains. When she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the water, taking film photos, or eating a bowl of bingsu. You can visit her on Twitter and Instagram @sarahaelisuk.Sarah is represented by Linda Epstein at Emerald City Literary Agency.

//Website//Twitter//Instagram//Goodreads//

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Thank you so much for reading this blog tour stop post, I hope you enjoyed it. Ms. Suk’s debut novel is amazing, and I can’t wait for you to read it! Have a great day!

Blog Tour: The Other Side of Perfect // Author Interview With Mariko Turk!

Hey everyone! Today’s post is a very exciting one because I’m going to be hosting a blog tour stop for the lovely YA novel, The Other Side of Perfect by Mariko Turk! Before we get into the tour, here is a bit about the author’s debut novel…

Book Info

Title: The Other Side of Perfect by Mariko Turk

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Publishing Date: May 11, 2021

Synopsis

Content Warning: protagonist is dealing with a lot of anger and some depression, various experiences of racism

Alina Keeler was destined to dance, but one terrifying fall shatters her leg–and her dreams of a professional ballet career along with it. After a summer healing (translation: eating vast amounts of Cool Ranch Doritos and binging ballet videos on YouTube), she is forced to trade her pre-professional dance classes for normal high school, where she reluctantly joins the school musical. However, rehearsals offer more than she expected–namely Jude, her annoyingly attractive cast mate she just might be falling for. But to move forward, Alina must make peace with her past and face the racism she had grown to accept in the dance industry. She wonders what it means to yearn for ballet–something so beautiful, yet so broken. And as broken as she feels, can she ever open her heart to someone else?

Touching, romantic, and peppered with humor, this debut novel explores the tenuousness of perfectionism, the possibilities of change, and the importance of raising your voice.

Find out more about The Other Side of Perfect with these links!

//Goodreads//Amazon//Barnes and Noble//Book Depository//Indigo//IndieBound//

Here is the tour schedule link! If you have time, do check out the other amazing tour stops as well!

Without further ado, here is the interview!

1. Hi there Mariko! I’d just like to say how amazing it is to have you here with us today! Before we start, do you mind telling us some random facts about yourself?

Mariko: Hello and thanks so much for having me! Some random facts about me are: I love tea and tacos, I’ve lived in Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Colorado, when I’m at home I exclusively wear pajamas, and my favorite flowers are hydrangeas!

2. Congrats on your debut! I’m so incredibly happy for you! If I may ask, what inspired the making of The Other Side of Perfect?

Mariko: It was inspired by a couple of different things. First, right after college, I broke my leg while dancing ballet. Second, I’ve always been interested in how people grapple with the negative aspects of the things they love. For instance, I love ballet, but I know it has its share of harmful aspects—like its lack of diversity and its reliance on racial stereotypes in many classical pieces. So I started wondering, if ballet perpetuates these negative things, does that mean I shouldn’t love it? And if I do still love and support it, what does that mean about me?

When I decided to try writing a YA novel, I imagined what would happen if a 16-year-old half-Japanese girl who dreamed of dancing professionally had a career-ending injury and had to deal with losing something she loved with all her heart and with wondering if she ever should have loved it in the first place. Her story became The Other Side of Perfect.

Saniya: Thank you for sharing such a thought provoking response Ms. Turk!

3. The Other Side of Perfect tells the story of a young girl of color as she navigates racism, ballet, and love. The diversity is amazing! What was your experience writing the novel?

Mariko: This book is so special to me because it’s the first book I ever finished! So in a lot of ways, my experience writing it felt so new. I pantsed the first draft. I knew the general idea and some of the characters, but I figured out the themes and the plot as I went along, and it went pretty quickly. I finished in a few months. But then I spent about two years revising. I actually loved the long revision process because it gave me a chance to make the themes richer and more complex, and get to know the characters on a deeper level.

Saniya: I’m glad you loved the long revision process!

4. If you could give your past writer self one piece of advice, what would you say?

Mariko: To just write and not worry about if it’s “perfect” or not. My tendency to edit as I wrote really slowed me down and stopped me from finishing so many projects because I’d get so caught up in individual sentences and paragraphs that I’d lose steam. The Other Side of Perfect is the first book I ever finished, and it’s because I told myself I had to keep moving. I knew I’d have lots of changes to make. Sometimes I realized what those changes should be when I finished a chapter. But I didn’t go back to change them until I had a full draft.

Saniya: I loved what you said about how you just need to keep moving. It’s so easy to get caught up in little things, when we should really just be moving forward instead of holding ourselves back. Well said!

5. Racism is something that many people of color experience, and it really hurts my heart to see kids experiencing discrimination. Why do you think it’s important to portray authentic  and diverse characters in the media?

Mariko: I think it’s so important for all young people to be able to see themselves in the stories they read and watch. And not just in one book or movie here and there, but in many. Young people deserve multiple stories that they relate to and that speak to them and their experiences in various ways. So in other words, diverse characters shouldn’t only star in stories about racism and discrimination, but also in stories about love and friendship and family and school and everything else.

Saniya: I couldn’t agree more.

6. Lastly, what do you hope readers will take away from The Other Side of Perfect? Thank you so much for your time Ms. Turk!

Mariko: I hope one message readers take away is that there’s a way out of isolation and unhappiness. And that finding the way out might be tough, messy, and take longer than you want it to, but that it can also be funny, exciting, and full of unexpectedly spectacular possibilities. Thank you for these wonderful questions!

Saniya: This is such a beautiful message! Thank you once again for answering my questions. It was truly a delight to have you. 🙂

About The Author

Mariko Turk grew up in Pennsylvania and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in creative writing. She received her PhD in English from the University of Florida, with a concentration in children’s literature. Currently, she works as a Writing Center consultant at the University of Colorado Boulder. She lives in Colorado with her husband and baby daughter, where she enjoys tea, walks, and stories of all kinds.

//Website//Twitter//Instagram//Goodreads//

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Thank you so much for reading this blog tour stop post, I hope you enjoyed it. Ms. Turk’s debut novel is lovely, and I can’t wait for you to read it! Have a fabulous day!