Dive into the epic world of international bestselling author Leigh Bardugo with this beautifully illustrated replica of The Lives of Saints, the Istorii Sankt’ya, featuring tales of saints drawn from the beloved novels and beyond. Out of the pages of the Shadow and Bone trilogy, from the hands of Alina Starkov to yours, the Istorii Sankt’ya is a magical keepsake from the Grishaverse.

These tales include miracles and martyrdoms from familiar saints like Sankta Lizabeta of the Roses and Sankt Ilya in Chains, to the strange and obscure stories of Sankta Ursula, Sankta Maradi, and the Starless Saint.

This beautiful collection includes stunning full-color illustrations of each story. 

My Review: Rated 3 out of 5 Stars

Leigh is a very talented storyteller. She brings us 28 Saint stories that are all dark and pretty weird. I can’t get over the names of places and people in this book. I really don’t know where Leigh comes up with all the weird names. That in it’s self is a talent.

The illustrations are interesting. Sometimes, I wasn’t sure how the saint connected to the illustration and the story. The stories are very short and only briefly you get to learn about how each Saint became who they are. Her imagination to bring us weird creepy stories is amazing. It takes immense talent to write stories like the ones in this book.

She knows how to create worlds that we can’t possibly imagine they could ever exist, even in our imaginations. I love the decorations on the pages and I actually think the red leather bound book with gold lettering is nice. I would not have included the half blue cover. I loved that she added the red book on the very last illustration. Some of these stories are very interesting. Enter the world of Saints who have to fight for their beliefs at whatever the cost. This book teaches us that bad people always get what they deserve. 

Author Biography

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Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse (coming soon to Netflix) which spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, The Language of Thorns, and King of Scars— with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer and Ninth House (Goodreads Choice Winner for Best Fantasy 2019) which is being developed for television by Amazon Studios. Leigh was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Southern California, and graduated from Yale University. These days she lives and writes in Los Angeles. For information on new releases and appearances, sign up for her newsletter.

She would be delighted if you followed her on Twitter, elated if you visited her at LeighBardugo.com, and fairly giddy if you liked her selfies on Instagram.

Wishing you all a fabulous New Year!

I hope next year will have many exciting moments for you. May all your goals and dreams come true and of course many more books to read. A new clean slate to make new memories. Wishing you all a healthy and prosperous New Year!

BOOK DETAILS:
In Your Eyes
by Jayne Townsley
(Seasons of Love, #2)
Publication date: January 5th 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Crystal Davis got her wish for the Crew’s long-awaited post-graduation trip. Sun and fun before focusing on her new career as a pediatric RN at St. Francis’ Children’s Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was just what she needed. Bonus? She met Troy Bennett, and she realized she wanted less frivolity in her life and a little more serious.

Troy Bennett is a man fighting the demons who tell him he is worthless every day of his life. Demons his mother conjured. He quiets them with alcohol and casual relationships, never allowing any woman to get close enough to him so he will never have to disappoint one. Then on the spur of the moment trip to Panama City Beach with his Ranger buddies, he sees the future he’s always been afraid to pursue exit a Jeep Wrangler at a local donut shop.

Just as Troy and Crystal are finding their footing, she gets the call she never thought she would earn: Crystal Davis is going to Hollywood to be a contestant on America’s Next Chart Topper. What started as a way to honor her murdered friend has now become her dream. Chasing her dream means leaving Troy behind for a bit, and she wonders if her absence will cause what they’ve built so far to come crashing down.

Chasing her dream also means she’s put herself in a place where she’s vulnerable to the side of Hollywood that no one wants to acknowledge. A place where people only care about her and Troy’s story for the audience while behind the scenes, evil, selfish people work to tear them apart.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56228929-in-your-eyes
Pre-order: https://amzn.to/3rButq4

Author Biography

Jayne Townsley lives with her multi-generational family in Northeast Oklahoma’s aptly named Green Country. A transplanted Okie from the Chicago suburbs, she has grown to love this state and its people with a passion, happily calling it home for the past 15 years.

Jayne shares her home with a rescued Shollie named Maui and two cats called Gamora and Nebula.

Jayne enjoys old-fashioned road trips and is in the process of planning one to tour Oklahoma’s Route 66. She is also something of a Disney World addict.

Run to You is her debut novel.

You can find her on the web at the following places:

facebook.com/jaynetownsleyauthor
goodreads.com/jtauthor2020
instagram.com/jaynetownsleyauthor
pinterest.com/jaynetownsleyauthor
twitter.com/jaynetownsleyauthor
jtauthor.blogspot.com

BOOK DETAILS:

Just One Chance
by Lynn Stevens
Publication date: January 25th 2021
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

One summer. One last chance.

Miranda Reynolds hasn’t had a good year. Her obsession with Eddie Blake pushed her over the edge last summer, and she’s been working toward straightening her life out since.

When Aiden King shows her more than a passing interest, Miranda hesitates. Aiden is smart, funny, and loyal. Not to mention gorgeous. Despite her reservations about dating her best friend’s brother, Miranda agrees to go out with him.

But she can’t stay away from Eddie.

With her world shifting, a family disaster turns her life upside down.

Determined to change perceptions, Miranda sets out to prove that she’s more than what she’s been labeled.

If only she could believe it herself. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56134026-just-one-chance
Pre-order: https://amzn.to/3mONbHi

Author Biography

Lynn Stevens flunked out of college writing her first novel. Yes, she still has it and no, you can’t read it. Surprisingly, she graduated with honors at her third school. A former farm girl turned city slicker, Lynn lives in the Midwest where she drinks coffee she can’t pronounce and sips tea when she’s out of coffee. When she’s out of both, just stay away.

Author links:

https://www.facebook.com/LynnStevensAuthor/

https://www.lstevensbooks.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lstevensauthor/

https://twitter.com/LStevensAuthor

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lynn-stevens-9f75eb64-b01a-494c-8360-43108f700d62

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16771319.Lynn_Stevens

Goodreads Blurb

Having seen the magic and wonder spread by ‘The Book of Secrets’, Santa Claus has now decided to chronicle a year in his life at the North Pole. Through this spellbinding account, he explores the immense depth of effort required to deliver magic to the world upon that one, special night each year. What is Mrs Claus like? Which other magical creatures assist in the delivery of Christmas? What are the Northern Lights? Where do Santa and Mrs Claus travel to in the summer? What secrets lie hidden in the Hall of Records? How does the Dream Tree at the North Pole work? What are the magical pathways? What happens at the Reindeer Training School? Once more, Santa Claus himself answers these questions and many more, as he delves deeper into his remarkable, magical world and continues to unlock the startling truth behind the mysteries of Christmas.

My Review: 4 out of 5 stars

We all wonder what Santa Claus does throughout the year in order to prepare for next Christmas. This book will bring children the inside scoop of some of Santa’s yearly task in preparation for that one magical day of the year. Children will enjoy learning about the elves, reindeers and inside scoop about the magical North Pole. This is a great story for parents to read to children, since it’s very wordy, but be sure children will be excited to learn about Santa’s monthly schedule. It has amazing illustrations that remind you of a vintage Christmas. This book will be a favorite for many children. 

BOOK DETAILS:
Blane
by C.M. Marin
(The Chaos Chasers MC, #5)
Publication date: TBA
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

BLANE

She’s back home.

My friend from a time that feels so distant is as beautiful and as kind as she was over five years ago, but her eyes now hold a confidence that didn’t use to shine there. Lana has returned as a fully independent woman sporting something hard that’s masking the pain that I know was etched in by her past.

And fuck if she isn’t sexier than I ever remember her being.

But after vanishing from my life without any sort of explanation or a goodbye, she’s come back home, and not for just a few nights of pleasure. She’s on a mission. One that has her diving into a world where danger lurks in its every corner. And even though I wish she wouldn’t keep her distance, I also know it might be for the best. Losing someone I care about again isn’t an option. But as more time passes, more worry creeps into my gut.

And when Lana allows me to get close to her in a way that destroys all boundaries of friendship, it becomes even harder to stay away.

Or rather fucking impossible.

LANA

I’m back home.

Trying to bring justice to my family should have been my hardest challenge once back in Texas. But the hardest part of being back home has been staying away from the friend I left behind all of those years ago.

I expected Blane to hold a massive grudge against me for disappearing without a word, but I should have known he would be there for me.

The grieving college student I met back then has become a brawny biker with a roughness and an intensity that slightly darkens his expression, but he instantly becomes like a rainbow to me, bringing colors to my dull, lonely days. That’s why it’s too bad that I have to keep him at a safe distance. And I was succeeding with flying colors until our chemistry explodes and I let myself crumble under the weight of my craving for him.

Now everything has lost its clarity, and the only part of my mind that’s not blurry with uncertainty is the one reminding me how much I want Blane in my life.

How much I care about him.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56322151-blane

Author Biography

C.M. Marin is an author of romantic suspense and contemporary romance.

Even though she lived in the crowded and beautiful city of London for a few years, she is now a small-town girl. Quiet and nature are all she really needs now… as long as there are books and a box full of assorted teas within easy reach!

She hasn’t found her own happily ever after yet, but she sure loves to write about falling in love and finding forever. With a touch of suspense, just the right amount of sexiness, and plenty of love, she writes books for every lover of romance around the world!
Author links:

https://twitter.com/CMMarinAuthor

http://www.cmmarin.com/

https://www.facebook.com/C.M.MarinAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/cmmarinauthor/

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/c-m-marin

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18169952.C_M_Marin