MANCHINEEL BY JESSICA CARRASQUILLO

The Manchineel by Jessica Carrasquillo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me take you on a moonlit journey through the pages of Manchineel by Jessica Carrasquillo—a tale that weaves together desire, danger, and the haunting allure of forbidden love.

The Dark Side: Within the lush foliage of Miami, where the air is thick with secrets, Elyse Santiago harbors a past stained by trauma. Her childhood nightmare—the man who abused her—met his end at her hands, poisoned by the toxic sap of the manchineel plant. Now, as an adult, Elyse shares her fascination with all things botanical on Instagram, cultivating an online persona that conceals her darker impulses. But when she meets Ben Deluca, a talent acquisition lawyer, the spark between them ignites a chain of events that will test the limits of desire and morality. Ben’s cruel wife, Ana, stands in their way—a woman who wields power like a weapon, threatening to destroy everything Elyse and Ben hold dear.

The beauty of Manchineel lies in its unflinching exploration of human nature. Carrasquillo delves into the shadows, revealing the primal instincts that drive us—the hunger for survival, the need for connection, and the willingness to cross boundaries. The Spanish moss-draped setting becomes a character, whispering ancient secrets and binding Elyse and Ben in a web of fate.

The Beauty: Carrasquillo’s prose blooms like the titular manchineel tree—deceptively beautiful, yet deadly. She paints Miami’s landscape with vivid strokes, evoking the scent of saltwater, the hum of cicadas, and the allure of forbidden fruit. Elyse’s affinity for plants mirrors her own nurturing and lethal complexity. And Ben? His struggle to break free from Ana’s grip resonates with anyone who has faced a toxic relationship.

The heart of this novel lies in its exploration of power dynamics. Carrasquillo flips the script, exposing the darkness within Ana—the cartoon villainess who wields her privilege with cruelty. As Elyse grapples with her demons, we witness the collision of desire and destruction.

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MYSTERIES OF THE SOUTHERN GOTHIC

Mysteries of the Southern Gothic by Jessica Carrasquillo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me take you on a moonlit journey through the pages of "Mysteries of the Southern Gothic" by Jessica Carrasquillo. This tale weaves magic, romance, and secrets into an intoxicating blend.

In the haunting shadows of the South, where Spanish moss drapes ancient oaks and whispers of forgotten tragedies linger, we meet Ulysses Katsaros—a mental health counselor grappling with his demons. But the unexplained disappearance of his sister, Calliope, sets the stage for this dark and beguiling mystery. Enter Rosario Martinez, co-host of the popular "Mysteries of the Southern Gothic" true crime podcast. Rosario is daring, relentless, and drawn to the sinister Church of the Ninth Order, where shadows deepen and secrets fester. As their paths intersect, Ulysses and Rosario embark on a quest for truth, unraveling threads of betrayal, loss, and forbidden love. This isn't just a mystery—it's a reckoning with the past, a dance with darkness, and a love story that blooms like a blood-red rose.

As I turned the pages, I felt the oppressive heat of the South, heard the mournful notes of a blues guitar, and glimpsed the flicker of candlelight in a crumbling plantation house. Carrasquillo's prose is like a spell—a conjuring of emotions that lingers long after the final chapter. Ulysses and Rosario are flawed, magnetic, and achingly real. Their chemistry sizzles, but it's the secrets they keep that truly ignite the pages.

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RAVAGE

This week, we're celebrating the release of Ravage! The first book in Raegan of Ruin series by A.L. Rook!

Ravage (Raegan of Ruin Book 1)

Publication Date: September 1, 2024

• Strong heroine
• Found family
• He falls first
• Enemies to lovers (childhood friends > enemies > lovers)
• Touch her and d!3
• Stalker MMC
• Possessive MMCs
• Morally gray MCs

We promised to stick together. And then they betrayed me.

In a world where more children are being born with special abilities, we were six of the ones kidnapped and hidden away for testing and training.

We banded together and became a family…until one of us was killed.

The others turned on me and left me for dead.

Five years later, and I’m on a hunt for vengeance against the organization that’s still stealing and brainwashing gifted kids in secret. It’s all I have left; to rid the world of this evil. Until I realize that they are in this city with the same goal.

Aiden. Kellan. Jackson. Dane.

Now I need to decide. Do I work with the ones who abandoned me five years ago, or walk away from this city and finish the war by myself?

But once they discover I’m here, I learn they have their own plans for me.

Ravage is a full length why choose dark paranormal romance novel that ends on a cliffhanger. It is book 1 in the Raegan of Ruin series that will be completed in 2025. If you like plot, banter, steam, a strong heroine, and multiple alpha-holes that you don't have to choose between, then this is for you. It is recommended for 18+ due to language and sexual situations.

GET IT ON AMAZON

Triggers included but not limited to:

• Explicit sex
• Violence
• Frequent language
• Mention of prior physical/mental abuse (age 16)
• Mention of prior SA (not on page)
• Physical / mental /emotional abuse (not by MCs) in future books in the series

Other Notes:

• Paranormal romance (gifted humans)
• Why choose (4 MMCs)
• Medium burn (varies by MMC)
• Dark themes
• Multi POV (primarily FMC)
• Cliffhanger in Book 1 (not terrible)
• No MM
• Plot-heavy storyline
• Banter

BOOK TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

R&R BOOK TOURS

PILLARS OF THE EARTH

 

Introduction: "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett is a historical masterpiece that intricately weaves together the lives of various characters against the backdrop of medieval England. With its rich tapestry of love, ambition, betrayal, and redemption, this novel stands tall as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit amidst the turmoil of the times.

Synopsis: Set in the 12th century, "Pillars of the Earth" follows the journey of Tom Builder, a master builder, as he embarks on a monumental task of constructing a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. Alongside Tom, we encounter a cast of compelling characters, including Prior Philip, Aliena, and Jack, whose lives become intertwined in a web of ambition, power struggles, and forbidden love. Against the backdrop of political intrigue and religious strife, the construction of the cathedral becomes a symbol of hope and aspiration for the community, transcending generations.

Review: Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" is a sprawling epic that transports readers to the heart of medieval England with stunning detail and immersive storytelling. At over 1,000 pages, the novel may seem daunting, but every page is filled with intrigue, emotion, and vivid historical accuracy.

Follett's mastery lies in his ability to create a world that feels both authentic and captivating. From the bustling streets of Kingsbridge to the serene beauty of the countryside, each setting is brought to life with meticulous attention to detail. The construction of the cathedral serves as a central narrative thread, serving not only as a physical backdrop but also as a metaphor for the aspirations and struggles of the characters.

What truly sets "Pillars of the Earth" apart is its richly drawn characters. Tom Builder, with his unwavering determination to create something magnificent, serves as the emotional anchor of the story. Prior Philip, with his deep faith and unwavering sense of duty, provides a moral compass amidst the chaos. And Aliena and Jack, with their forbidden love and quest for redemption, add layers of complexity to the narrative.

At its core, "Pillars of the Earth" is a story about the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the challenges they face — from political intrigue to personal betrayal — the characters persevere, driven by their desire to leave a lasting legacy. It's a testament to Follett's skill as a storyteller that readers become deeply invested in the fates of these characters, rooting for them through every triumph and setback.

In conclusion, "Pillars of the Earth" is a masterpiece of historical fiction that will leave readers spellbound from beginning to end. With its sweeping scope, unforgettable characters, and timeless themes, it's a novel that transcends the boundaries of time and place, offering a glimpse into the human experience that is as relevant today as it was centuries ago.

The Unstoppable Jeffrey Archer A Journey

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Top Five Best Sellers A Literary Journey

FitzChivalry Farseer #wolf #bestsellers #books #robinhobb #geturbook

11.22.63 by Stephen King

 

WHAT IF you could go back in time and change the course of history? WHAT IF the watershed moment you could change was the JFK assassination? 11.22.63, the date that Kennedy was shot - unless . . .

King takes his protagonist Jake Epping, a high school English teacher from Lisbon Falls, Maine, 2011, on a fascinating journey back to 1958 - from a world of mobile phones and iPods to a new world of Elvis and JFK, of Plymouth Fury cars and Lindy Hopping, of a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald and a beautiful high school librarian named Sadie Dunhill, who becomes the love of Jake's life - a life that transgresses all the normal rules of time.

With extraordinary imaginative power, King weaves the social, political and popular culture of his baby-boom American generation into a devastating exercise in escalating suspense.

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The Hunger Games Unraveling the Dystopia

Running with the Wolf : A Literary Journey Part I

The Magical Legacy of Robin Hobb A Journey

' Treasures of the Ancient Wizards' #amazonbooks #history ...

THE TREASURES OF THE ANCIENT WIZARDS

https://amzn.to/42lacbl

When a young Alex hears a mysterious voice and follows it, his discovery leads him on an epic quest to retrieve a treasure he hopes will help his family. When he and his friends enter into a magical world they together learn about bravery, love, trust, and dependability. The biggest question is, can five teenagers do what many adults have not? Can they get back home if they succeed?

Written from the first person point of view as a young Alex retells his story to his mysterious audience, this tale was crafted for the entire family to enjoy. Perfect for a bedtime read to children, adults can also enjoy this on their own for a moment of respite. Our young hero still holds that passion for justice that many of us allow to die down to an ember but also holds the tenacity to keep pushing to make the world a better place.

 

THE GAME OF THRONES

"The Epic Odyssey of Reading: A Hilarious Tale of Bookish Bliss"

https://youtu.be/24ZD8LsL8iU

"The Epic Odyssey of Reading: A Hilarious Tale of Bookish Bliss"

 Once upon a time in the whimsical land of ImagiNation, there lived a peculiar creature named BiblioBard. This fantastical being had a mane made of bookmarks, spectacles perched on its nose, and a tail that wagged with literary delight. BiblioBard was the guardian of the Great Library, a repository of knowledge so vast that even Google would be left scratching its algorithmic head.

One fine day, BiblioBard decided to throw a literary bash to celebrate the joy of reading. The invitation was sent out to all the bookworms, novel nerds, and prose enthusiasts in ImagiNation. The Great Library was transformed into a magical reading carnival, complete with book-themed roller coasters and a popcorn stand that dispensed freshly popped plot twists.

As the guests gathered, a chorus of giggles and snorts echoed through the library. The shelves themselves seemed to chuckle, and the dust bunnies did a little jig in the corners. The atmosphere was electric with the anticipation of literary adventures.

The festivities began with a stand-up comedy show by Sir Chuckle-a-Lot, the renowned humorist from the Land of Footnotes. His jokes were so clever that even the dictionary had to consult its thesaurus to keep up. The audience roared with laughter as Sir Chuckle-a-Lot delivered punchlines sharper than the corners of a well-worn paperback.

Next up was the Bookish Ballet, a performance by characters from classic novels who had mastered the art of pirouetting on pointe and quoting Shakespeare simultaneously. Romeo and Juliet twirled across the stage, exchanging witty banter between leaps, while Mr. Darcy executed a flawless grand jeté, his pride perfectly intact.

The pièce de résistance, however, was the Great Book Swap. Bibliophiles traded their favorite tomes with a fervor that rivaled the stock exchange. The chaos reached a peak when someone tried to swap a mystery novel for a cookbook, leading to a heated debate on the culinary secrets hidden within Agatha Christie's pages.

In a corner of the library, there was a "Silent Reading Disco" where participants donned noise-canceling headphones and boogied to the rhythm of turning pages. The dance floor pulsed with the silent beats of literary ecstasy, and even the introverts couldn't resist a quiet shimmy as they read.

As the night wore on, the attendees gathered for the grand finale – a dramatic reading of a choose-your-own-adventure story. The audience, armed with foam swords and feather quills, collectively decided the fate of the protagonist. The plot twisted and turned like a caffeinated snake, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats, or rather, cushions borrowed from the library's reading nooks.

The joy of reading filled the air, and as the clock struck midnight, BiblioBard raised a bookmark in a toast. The Great Library had witnessed an unforgettable celebration of the written word, and the characters on its shelves whispered their approval.

And so, in the magical land of ImagiNation, the Epic Odyssey of Reading became a legendary tale, passed down from bookshelf to bookshelf, inspiring generations of readers to come. The moral of the story? In the enchanted realm of books, laughter is the best bookmark, and the joy of reading is a timeless treasure

THE MIDNIGHT SKY By Edwin Dunkin

https://amzn.to/47MBk44

The distinguished astronomer Edwin Dunkin published The Midnight Sky in 1869 and is best known for this classic work of Victorian popular astronomical writing. It includes material from Dunkin's famous articles describing the London midnight sky during each month of the year, and over 90 star maps and engravings.