Review: Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit

Goodreads Blurb

Kraków, 1939. A million marching soldiers and a thousand barking dogs. This is no place to grow up. Anna Łania is just seven years old when the Germans take her father, a linguistics professor, during their purge of intellectuals in Poland. She’s alone.

And then Anna meets the Swallow Man. He is a mystery, strange and tall, a skilled deceiver with more than a little magic up his sleeve. And when the soldiers in the streets look at him, they see what he wants them to see.

The Swallow Man is not Anna’s father—she knows that very well—but she also knows that, like her father, he’s in danger of being taken, and like her father, he has a gift for languages: Polish, Russian, German, Yiddish, even Bird. When he summons a bright, beautiful swallow down to his hand to stop her from crying, Anna is entranced. She follows him into the wilderness.

Over the course of their travels together, Anna and the Swallow Man will dodge bombs, tame soldiers, and even, despite their better judgment, make a friend. But in a world gone mad, everything can prove dangerous. Even the Swallow Man.

Destined to become a classic, Gavriel Savit’s stunning debut reveals life’s hardest lessons while celebrating its miraculous possibilities.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I received an early review copy and loved how well this book was written. The swallow man was a great storyteller filled with mystery. I was fascinated by how the author used different words to translate what really was happening during the war, in order not to frighten Anna , while such terrible things were happening all around them. I was at the edge of my seat. I could never imagine being left alone at age 7 and rooming around the forest to survive with a stranger. Walking from town to town felt like an eternity. Having to pass by dead bodies and having to touch them in order to find food or other survival items freaked me out. It’s a story filled with twists and turns. You will be surprised by your survival extincts if you were surrounded by death, fear, hunger, and cold. Highly recommend this book.

Author Biography

Gavriel Savit is a New York Times Bestselling author. His award-winning writing has been shortlisted for the National Book Award, and has been translated into nineteen languages. As a performer, he has appeared on and off-Broadway, and on stages around the world.

Currently Reading: Dead Man’s Leap: A Batavia-on-Hudson Mystery by Tina Debellegarde

Goodreads Blurb

Rushing waters…dead bodies…secrets…

As Bianca St. Denis and her neighbors scour their attics for donations to the charity rummage sale, they unearth secrets as well as prized possessions. Leonard Marshall’s historic inn hosts the sale each year, but it is his basement that houses the key to his past. When an enigmatic antiques dealer arrives in town, he upends Leonard’s carefully reconstructed life with an impossible choice that harkens back to the past.

Meanwhile, when a storm forces the villagers of Batavia-on-Hudson to seek shelter, the river rises and so do tempers. Close quarters fuel simmering disputes, and Sheriff Mike Riley has his work cut out for him. When the floods wash up a corpse, Bianca once again finds herself teaming up with Sheriff Riley to solve a mystery. Are they investigating an accidental drowning or something more nefarious?

Dead Man’s Leap explores the burden of secrets, the relief of renunciation, and the danger of believing we can outpace our past.

Author Biography

Tina deBellegarde lives in Catskill, New York with her husband Denis and their cat Shelby.
Winter Witness is the first book in the Batavia-on-Hudson Mystery Series. Tina also writes short stories and flash fiction.
When she isn’t writing, she is helping Denis tend their beehives, harvest shiitake mushrooms, and cultivate their vegetable garden.
She travels to Japan regularly to visit her son, Alessandro.
Tina did her graduate studies in history. She is a former exporter, paralegal, teacher, and library clerk.
Visit her website at http://www.tinadebellegarde.com.

Meet George Takei on Book Tour

George Takei, the iconic actor, will be on a book tour this month. You can preorder your tickets or purchase a limited signed and numbered edition of his book for 100.00. Here is the link to RSVP or purchase a signed copy: https://www.topshelfcomix.com/mobile/news/1267?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2025-06-14%20IRWT%20release&utm_content=2025-06-14%20IRWT%20release+CID_b10b1b3a5d4e2b49c28d132a0c6273da&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Meet%20George%20Takei%20on%20both%20coasts

Meet Jo Piazza on Book Tour

Jo Piazza will be on the book tour next month for her new book release, Everyone is Lying to You. You can RSVP for each event via this link: https://www.jopiazza.com/everyone-is-lying-to-you-tour

Goodreads Blurb

Lizzie and Bex were best friends in college. After graduation, Bex vanished, leaving Lizzie confused and devastated.

Fifteen years later, Bex is now Rebecca Sommers, a “traditional” Instagram influencer with millions of followers who salivate over her perfect life on her ranch with her five children and handsome husband, Gray. Lizzie is a struggling magazine writer, watching reels while her young children demand her attention.

One night out of the blue, Bex calls Lizzie with a career-making proposition—an exclusive interview with her about her multimillion-dollar business venture and an invitation to MomBomb, the high-profile influencing conference.

At the conference, Bex goes missing and Gray is found brutally murdered on their ranch. Lizzie finds herself plunged into the dark side of the cutthroat world of social media that includes jealousy, sordid affairs, swingers, and backstabbing. She must learn who her old friend has become and who she has double-crossed to try to find her, clear her name, and maybe even save her life.

Piazza’s master storytelling and razor-sharp insight into the world of social media brings us a pulpy, juicy, and cleverly plotted read that will have you guessing all the way through and leave you gasping for more.

Cover Reveal: Lavish by Tinia Montford

BOOK DETAILS:

Lavish

by Tinia Montford

(California Kings, #2)

Publication date: August 6, 2025

Genres: Adult, Mystery, Romance

Synopsis:

Serena King has spent years burying her sins beneath designer heels and ruthless ambition. But no lie lasts forever. When a ghost from her past returns, armed with secrets that could destroy her, she’s forced into a game she can’t control.
The first move? A marriage forced upon her

To him—her brother’s ex-best friend. Her first mistake. The man who was her first… and then broke her heart.
Miles Whitmore.

He’s not the reckless charmer she remembers. He’s colder. Crueler. Hungrier.

Miles wants to salvage his scandal-ridden family’s legacy. He needs power. He needs redemption. But he’s got secrets that could destroy everything too.

Their marriage is a business deal, a show for the public. But behind closed doors?

It’s a war.

A war of lies. A war of seduction. A war of who will break first.

But the deeper they fall into their twisted game, the more hatred turns to heat. The more vengeance turns to obsession.

Because in a world where power is everything and love is the most dangerous game of all…

The biggest threat isn’t their enemies.

It’s each other.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230231830-lavish

Pre-order: https://amzn.to/4dXVBIz

AUTHOR BIO:

Tinia (TUH-NIA) Montford is a Pisces who’s a sap for romance, especially when there’s (tons of) kissing. Loves eighties sitcoms and will consume anything with chocolate. She graduated from the University of San Francisco with a degree in English and Graphic Design. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Fiction.

You can find Tinia at www.tiniamontford.com or on social media: @tiniawritesbooks

Author links:

http://www.tiniamontford.com/

https://www.facebook.com/tiniawritesbooks

https://www.instagram.com/tiniawritesbooks/

@tiniawritesbooks

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21958554.Tinia_Montford

https://amzn.to/3WR3KHf

Pre-order Now! Ranch & Red Herrings by Tonya Kappes

Murder’s just another scandal waiting on the porch.

Georgia “Cussy” Hollingsworth thought she’d left small-town drama behind when she traded Kentucky for city life. But when her beloved uncle dies under suspicious circumstances, she’s pulled straight back to the last place she wanted to be—right into the middle of a horse and cattle ranch she never asked for and a murder she can’t ignore.

The plan was simple: settle his affairs, sell the property, and head home. Instead, Cussy finds herself tangled in long-held grudges, whispered secrets, and neighbors who remember everything—except who had a reason to kill.

Now she’s balancing ranch chores with fact-finding, dodging shady locals, and stumbling across more questions than answers. And with someone clearly trying to scare her off, Cussy has to decide: walk away, or dig in her heels and uncover the truth—before the killer makes her the next loose end to tie up.

Small town. Big secrets. And a reluctant sleuth who’s about to learn that some roots run deeper than she ever imagined.

Release day is June 27th!
https://bit.ly/4cJehel

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Adding Love to Attraction by Christine Miles

Book & Author Details:

Adding Love to Attraction

by Christine Miles

(Smart is Seriously Sexy Series, #4)

Publication date: May 19, 2025

Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

A single-working mom can find the courage to take a second chance on true love…or can she?

Two years after leaving a toxic marriage, Gia Valentine is still putting her life back together. With never-ending love and support from her best friends and family, and the joys of motherhood, she’s on a path to healing and peace. Unfortunately, her controlling ex has other ideas, especially when it comes to their son. To further complicate matters, a blast from her past reappears—a boy-turned-man whom she had once considered the love of her life.

A determined man on an important quest can successfully change his stars…or can he?

Achieving la dolce vita. That’s Dominic Ferretti’s number-one goal upon leaving his domineering family in Italy and returning to Colorado after seventeen years. Armed with determination and a special checklist, he reconnects with the girl-turned-woman who long ago captured his heart. But the path to “the good life” comes with an unforeseen challenge known as her ex-husband.

Being given another chance is a dream come true for Gia and Dominic, both trying to move forward from disappointing pasts. Will the stars be on their side this second time around?

Courage + strength + healing will be the necessary variables to achieve happily ever after in Adding Love to Attraction, the fourth and final book in the Smart is Seriously Sexy Series.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231983335-adding-love-to-attraction

Purchase:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jFi8Lk

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/adding-love-to-attraction-christine-miles/1147339806

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/adding-love-to-attraction

AUTHOR BIO:

Christine Miles is a full-time writer living in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

An avid reader and writer since elementary school, her passion for literature inspired her to pursue a BA in English and an MA in Creative Writing. She writes YA and Adult Contemporary Romances with sassy, independent heroines and swoony heroes who love them for their strength.

When not writing romances, she loves traveling, binge-watching shows on streaming apps, reading mysteries and thrillers, listening to music, and spending quality time with her family, friends, and dog.

You can find her on Facebook and Instagram. Sign up for her newsletter to get ARC’s and updates at www.christinemilesauthor.com.

Author links:

https://www.christinemilesauthor.com/

https://www.instagram.com/christinemilesauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/ChristineMilesAuthor

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/christine-miles

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19112036.Christine_Miles

Giveaway Link: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251235978/

Review: House on the Hill and Other Ghostly Tales by JoLynne Valerie

Goodreads Blurb

Madison has been on a roll, lately. She was just named top attorney at her firm; things never looked better for her career. Best yet, Madison rarely thinks about her rocky past anymore. Life is good.

But when her firm’s CEO suddenly dies, Madison receives a surprise. Lars Eichmann has left his star attorney a very special gift. Madison is about to inherit, of all things.. a house.

But she hasn’t inherited just any house… Madison’s new home, high atop a hill, is a beautiful, ornate, Victorian manse. The home is beautiful, but sometimes… strange.

Immediately, odd things begin to happen. Things moving by themselves. Voices in the night. Soon, level headed Madison questions her own sanity.

There’s a ghost in that house on the hill, a ghost with an urgent need to talk. Can Madison suspect her doubt and fear? Will she survive the shock of what is to come? The woods surrounding the property hold a secret… A terrible secret that must come to light.

Just when Madison feels close to her breaking point, one more terrible secret is revealed… One that will change her life forever.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Truly well written book with mystery. I really enjoyed this book and finished it within two days. My mind was raveled with the first story where there were two mysteries, which in reality were connected. I loved that the characters were lawyers, and Madison made it her mission to seek the truth. The other short stories were intense and enjoyable. I highly recommend this book if you love ghost stories and mysteries.

Author Biography

JoLynne Valerie writes Paranormal Romance, Contemporary Romance, Supernatural Thrillers, and Cookbooks. When JoLynne is not writing, she works professionally as a Paranormal Investigator and Angel Whisperer.

Readers and fans call her ParaGoddess, due to Ms. Valerie’s extensive knowledge of the Paranormal and her passionate commitment to live an authentic, spiritual lifestyle.

Raised in a family of Intuitive women, Ms. Valerie grew up speaking the language of Intuition. Currently, the author teaches fast-paced, interactive Intuitive Development workshops online, and live at her book events. JoLynne also works on Missing Persons Cases, when requested.

JoLynne loves to write inspirational posts; these can be found on all her social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tsu, and her blog.

Ms. Valerie is also a passionate foodie and healthy lifestyle advocate. She recently released her first cookbook, which rapidly became a best-seller.

Review: A Ghostly Grave by Tonya Kappes

Goodreads Blurb

There’s a ghost on the loose—and a fox in the henhouseFour years ago, the Eternal Slumber Funeral Home put Chicken Teater in the ground. Now undertaker Emma Lee Raines is digging him back up. The whole scene is bad for business, especially with her granny running for mayor and a big festival setting up in town. But ever since Emma Lee started seeing ghosts, Chicken’s been pestering her to figure out who killed him.With her handsome boyfriend, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, busy getting new forensics on the old corpse, Emma Lee has time to look into her first suspect. Chicken’s widow may be a former Miss Kentucky, but the love of his life was another beauty Lady Cluckington, his prize-winning hen. Was Mrs. Teater the jealous type? Chicken seems to think so. Something’s definitely rotten in Sleepy Hollow—and Emma Lee just prays it’s not her luck.

My Review: Rated 5 out 5 stars

I love the second book in this series. Tonya thinks of the funniest names and settings. Can’t get over how entertaining her books are, and she is the perfect storyteller. I was laughing my socks off. She creates such amazing characters that create a story in which you feel you can live in. Emma Lee is always getting her nose stuck where she shouldn’t be in order to solve the mystery of the killing of Chicken Teater. Love the whole ghost talking to her and guiding her to the truth. Can’t wait to read the third book and see what Tonya comes up with next.

Author Biography

Beloved cozy mystery author Tonya Kappes is bringing her charming world to the screen!

The Hallmark Channel is thrilled to announce a television series in development based on Tonya’s wildly popular 40-book series, A Camper & Criminals Mystery.

A celebrated Amazon All-Star and USA Today bestselling author, Tonya has written over 180 southern cozy mysteries filled with heart, humor, and unforgettable small-town characters. Her novels, known for their southern charm and rich emotional storytelling, have been praised by readers and critics alike, earning her a coveted spot as a Woman’s World Book Club Pick six times.

Writing full-time from her camper, Tonya crafts worlds where mystery, friendship, and a little mischief collide — and now, her stories will come to life for cozy mystery lovers everywhere