A Literary Escape

ARC Review: The Milkweed Lands by Eric Lee-Mader

Published on September 18, 2023September 10, 2023 by Celeste6 Comments

Today’s review is about THE MILKWEED LANDS by Eric Lee-Mäder and illustrated by Beverly Duncan. This is a lovely book that many gardeners will appreciate. Lee-Mäder shares the history of the milkweed in the United States and its significance during World War II. And, of course, the reader learns about the milkweed and the creatures associated with it throughout each season.

Author: Eric Lee-Mäder, Beverly Duncan (Illustrator)
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Publish Date: September 26, 2023
Print Length: 120

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of The Milkweed Lands on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

Continue reading →

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Book Review: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Maehrer

Published on September 15, 2023November 27, 2024 by Celeste21 Comments

Today’s review is about ASSISTANT TO THE VILLAIN by Hannah Maehrer. Published by the same publisher as FOURTH WING, it boasts a hilarious story about what it’s like to be the assistant to a villain. Though charming to some, I had some misgivings about whether it lives up to the hype.

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Series: Assistant to the Villain #1
Age Category: New Adult
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Publish Date: August 29, 2023
Print Length: 352

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of Assistant to the Villain on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

Continue reading →

ARC Review: The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma

Published on September 11, 2023September 8, 2023 by Celeste7 Comments

Today’s review is about THE PHOENIX KING by Aparna Verma, the first installment in The Ravence Trilogy. It’s an epic fantasy inspired by India that has a nice blend of fantasy and science fiction elements. Readers who have a penchant for stories about assassins and political maneuvering will appreciate this book.

Author: Aparna Verma
Series: The Ravence Trilogy, #1
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Orbit
Publish Date: August 29, 2023
Print Length: 512

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of The Phoenix King on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

Continue reading →

September Blogging Plans

Published on September 6, 2023September 5, 2023 by Celeste17 Comments

Not that I typically have blogging plans per month, but it wasn’t in my September blogging plans to decide to take a semi-hiatus. Everything was proceeding as usual. I presented my September TBR plans a few days ago. I was excited to visit friends and family in Maine. But as soon as I took my phone off of airplane mode on Friday after landing, I received a call urging me to do some follow up tests at the emergency room.

Continue reading →

September 2023 TBR List

Published on September 1, 2023August 29, 2023 by Celeste13 Comments

What in the world?! Who said it was time for a September 2023 TBR list?! Not me, I can assure you! I’m not ready to let summer depart. Then again, I tend to get more reading done when the weather is nastier. Win some, lose some.

As usual, I have a couple of ARCs to focus on this month. I’ll prioritize those. The rest is more of a toss up. I know I’ll have at least one library hold arrive, possibly two. I’ll include them just in case they become available. Otherwise it’ll be mood reads or other ARCs after I finish the September ARCs. So, let’s see what’s on my September 2023 TBR list.

Continue reading →