Almost wordless: I’ve been seeing a lot of poison ivy this year. This healthy vine was climbing a tree, but there was plenty growing on the ground too.
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More Wordless Wednesday. © 2018 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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A Rapid Review
Publisher: Harper | June 2017 432 Pages
Format: Paperback 432 Pages | Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction / Fantasy
In Sophie Jaff’s spellbinding sequel to Love is Red, two women living centuries apart are bound together by an ancient prophecy, which ignites a dark story of obsession, betrayal, and revenge
What’s it about . . .
Crown of Stars continues the story a few months after we left off in Love is Red. While it’s possible to read this one first, there is a lot of backstory that would be missed, so I recommend starting with the first book in this trilogy.
The story alternates between Katherine, in the present, and Margaret, hundreds of years ago in a medieval English village. Katherine is trying to rebuild her life after the horrible events of last summer when she was attacked and her roommate murdered. Her boyfriend has left her and now she discovers she is pregnant. Margaret has just left her village after her father remarried, but she has inherited her mother’s talents, and there are rumors she is a witch.
What did I think . . .
Like the first novel in the trilogy, this is a blend of genres including elements of horror, fantasy, and the supernatural. The story was well-written and the book difficult to put down. I’m always leary of “middle book syndrome” in a trilogy, but this was a pleasant surprise, as good as the first book with lots of suspense and unexpected twists. And for the few times I became a little confused, answers were revealed as the story progressed. There is a big cliffhanger at the end, so I am anxiously anticipating book three!
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Source: Review copy provided by the publisher.
© 2018 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Welcome to Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia of To Be Continued, a place where readers share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.
After several years of being on tour with different blogs as the monthly host, the Mailbox Monday Blog is now the permanent home for the meme.
Three weeks in a row I’m writing my Monday post from my outdoor office (aka backyard deck). Another gorgeous morning, but don’t tell the weather gods that Chicago is supposed to be hot, humid and miserable this time of year.
At the last minute I found out that there was a Reverse Summer Readathon this past weekend, but I was only able to participate for a few hours as I already had Saturday commitments. The readathon is always one of my favorite events; I love the way it joins the book community worldwide.
A few new books last week . . .
New Arrivals
The Amazing Adventures of Aaron Broom by A.E. Hotchner, a win from from Bookreporter’s Summer Reading and Doubleday.
A heartwarming amateur detective story set in Depression-Era St. Louis from beloved author A.E. Hotchner.
The Splendor Before the Dark by Margaret George from Berkley Group.
Ascending to the throne was only the beginning… Now Margaret George, the author of The Confessions of Young Nero, weaves a web of politics and passion, as ancient Rome’s most infamous emperor cements his place in history.
Birds and Their Feathers by Britta Teckentrup from Kathy at BermudaOnion. Thank you so much. Kathy knows how much I love birds!
The creator of The Egg returns to her avian explorations with this wondrous, charming, and informative examination of feathers.
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© 2018 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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A Reverse Readathon!
Many of you are familiar with the April and October readathons, but this is a little different. This is a paired down, relaxed event starting in the evening rather than the morning. It still runs for 24 hours, from 8pm Eastern on July 27 until 8pm Eastern on July 28, but rather than many events, there will only be one challenge running the entire 24 hours: Cheer for as many participants as you can.
The Readathon will start for me at 7 pm Chicago time. I already have some plans for tomorrow morning that will take me away from reading, but I intend to rejoin the readathon in the afternoon.
I have never made a full 24 hours but I sign up for most of the readathons anyway. I enjoy being part of the events and the book community even if it’s only for some of the 24 hours.
I will be updating this post during the Readathon.
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Opening Survey
1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?
I live in the USA in a suburb of Chicago.
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?
I always have such a difficult time choosing books for the readathon. Do I choose short books so I can actually finish one? I’m not the fastest reader on the planet! Or do I set one aside that I have been dying to read?
I’m going to start with Side Life by Steve Toutonghi. It’s described as paranoid literary sci-fi. Yes, I think I’m in the mood for that!
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?
I am a popcorn junkie. I’ll be popping some extra butter microwave popcorn this evening. I also have healthy snacks for the day like yogurt and fruit and nut bars. And a few less healthy ones like Twizzlers and a few chocolate bars.
4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
I’ve been blogging for over 10 years and have had a book blog since 2009. I’m an eclectic reader, gardener, bird watcher, amateur photographer and all around nature lover. I volunteer at the Forest Preserve as a wildlife bird monitor and at a bird rescue and shelter for pet birds in need of new homes.
5) This is our VERY first Reverse Readathon! How does it feel in your time zone?
It feels a little weird to be starting the readathon now. Since I usually start at 7am, I begin the day with an audiobook while I make breakfast, take care of my parrots, and do a few chores around the house. This time I’ll be starting with a book once I finish dinner and sit down for the evening. I like it!
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© 2018 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Advertisements appearing on this site are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed or approved by me.
Welcome to Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia of To Be Continued, a place where readers share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.
After several years of being on tour with different blogs as the monthly host, the Mailbox Monday Blog is now the permanent home for the meme.
Another beautiful Monday after a long rainy weekend. So once again I am sitting in my outdoor office writing this and enjoying a few minutes of quiet and the sounds of nature.
Only one book last week, but that is more than enough as I am way behind on reading and reviewing. Too many distractions in the summer. I also received a planning calendar/organizer, the physical kind that you place on your desk. I am hoping this will direct me towards better organization, something I seem to be lacking lately.
New Arrivals
News of Our Loved Ones by Abigail DeWitt from Harper.
A haunting and intimate examination of love and loss, beauty and the cost of survival, witnessed through two generations of one French family.
Organized Living 2018-2019 Monthly/Weekly Planning Calendar by Andrews McMeel Publishing from AmazonVine.
…designed for busy people who prefer a physical method of planning but want sophistication and style.
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© 2018 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Almost wordless: If you plant Milkweed, they will show up. And you will be helping the survival of the species.
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More Wordless Wednesday. © 2018 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Advertisements appearing on this site are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed or approved by me.
Welcome to Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia of To Be Continued, a place where readers share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.
After several years of being on tour with different blogs as the monthly host, the Mailbox Monday Blog is now the permanent home for the meme.
I am writing this in my outdoor office, also know as my backyard deck, enjoying the early morning before it gets too hot. My garden is flourishing, flowers are in bloom, and birds are singing. And miraculously there are no sounds of construction, lawn mowers, or the most annoying of all, leaf blowers. I’ll enjoy this while it lasts!
A couple new books last week . . .
New Arrivals
The Astronaut’s Son by Tom Seigel from the author and Over the River PR.
The Astronaut’s Son was inspired by the true story of Nazi scientists and engineers at NASA.
Personal Finance in Your 50s by Dummies Press from AmazonVine.
Manage your finances and enjoy your retirement
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© 2018 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Advertisements appearing on this site are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed or approved by me.
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