Sunday Street Team: Ships To Travel With (The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee)

Welcome to my stop on Sunday Street Team where we are spotlighting THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE by Mackenzi Lee (a book that is absolutely as wonderful and swoonworthy as it sounds, trust me.)

So, I got to do a unique post for this, because I just loved this book so much- and I pondered this idea for quite a while.

Monty and Percy are one of the most shippable ships I have ever seen/had. And like Rachel Strolle said in her blurb for the novel: "Monty and Percy are insanely shippable from page one and quickly became one of my favorite YA couples of all time."

AGREED. Wholeheartedly agree.

So, for this post, I am taking Monty and Percy on a little trip of my own- to visit some other fantastic ships.

Are you ready?

Me too.

DISCLAIMERS: All of the pictures included in this post are from Pinterest and were chosen randomly- if you see something you did, tell me and I'll give you credit here! Also: If you haven't read Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda, the aesthetic here will spoil who Blue is.

Here we go!!!

First off- We will be time-travelling and dimension travelling and world travelling and it's going to be great. Multi-dimensional travel for a wholesome travel experience! (Just as great as the road trip featured in Gentleman's Guide!)

Let's goooooo!

We are heading to a small town in Georgia first... one that we have come to love where the friend we are meeting has a dog named Bieber and some of the best friends ever- a lover of oreos and the best boyfriend ever. YES! You guessed it! We're in Creeksville with Simon and Blue! The ship of all ships. My favorite humans.

 

While with these two, we'll likely go to Waffle House, eat some Oreos, and maybe visit some few friends in D.C while we're at it. :)

After Creeksville we will travel to an alternate London. Specifically, Kell and Lila in Red London- picking pockets. I mean, like these two are the most lovable and badass character simultaneously. I love Lila's snark and blunt attitude and how Kell and Lila are such complements to one another.

 

After the fun with Antari- we'll go on a little excursion with Inej and Nina in Ketterdam- eating waffles. What could be better than the best ship of Six of Crows? I love these two separately, together, with the boys- whatever. Point is, they're wonderful, and I'm imagining some wonderfully banter-filled conversations between them and the boys from Gentleman's Guide. Absolutely special.

Aaron and Thomas in the Bronx- playing Remember That Time or going on a Trade Date, except they actual trade dates lololololol. Mostly, I love Aaron and Thomas- and have seen myself in Aaron unlike almost any other character. I'd love to see the relationships they would all build. Aaron and Percy would vibe really well too.

 

Patroclus and Achilles in Ancient Greece - a day in the mountains with Chiron. I feel like these characters and Monty + Percy could possibly relate in some weird way. Pressure from authority figures, maybe? THE LOVE I HAVE FOR THEM.

        

Shazi and Khalid in Khorasan- Shazi tells some stories and kicks ass. This world in this is just wonderful, and I'd love to see Monty and Percy's reaction to the dynamic of Shazi and Khalid, honestly. Both love-stories worthy of constellations.

 



Laia and Elias running from the Martial Empire - honestly just want to see Monty sass the Commandant. COULD YOU IMAGINE (I won't tell you the place I really want to take them to as it is a place in book two, but if you've read it- you probably know where I'm talking about. I'm being vague on purpose, friends.

 

And then, after finishing then- we'd go back to the 1700s, to Monty and Percy's rightful homes- they'd have to probably visit the Leteo Institute back with Aaron and Thomas once more- because the effect of time travel on these two might make them go crazy otherwise.... but it would still be fun!

Hope you enjoyed this post, I had such a blast writing it and coming up with the various travels and adventures! Continue reading for a giveaway below! :)

Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29283884-the-gentleman-s-guide-to-vice-and-virtue?ac=1&from_search=true

Preorder Links:

Amazon- US || Amazon - UK || Barnes & Nobles || The Book Depository

Social Media:

Website: http://www.mackenzilee.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/themackenzilee

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7327341.Mackenzi_Lee

Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/themackenzilee/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themackenzilee

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themackenzilee/

Synopsis (GR):

Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.

But as Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

Witty, romantic, and intriguing at every turn, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is a sumptuous romp that explores the undeniably fine lines between friendship and love.

About the Author:

Mackenzi Lee is a bookseller, history nerd, and the author of THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE, THIS MONSTROUS THING (Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins), and the forthcoming SEMPER AUGUSTUS (Flatiron Books, 2018). She holds an MFA from Simmons College in writing for children and young adults. She loves Diet Coke, sweater weather, and Star Wars. On a perfect day, she can be found enjoying all three. She currently calls Boston home.

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Tour host stop links:

6/4 Tour Blogs Stops

Character Profiles - Blame It On The Books

Review -  Bookishly Thinking

Review -  Charmingly Simple

Interview - The Hermit Librarian

6/11 Tour Blogs Stops

Review - Tween to Teen Book Reviews

Interview - Sarcasm and Lemons

Unique Post (Ships to Travel With) - Roecker Reviews

Interview -  Books Buying Beauty

Review - The Ultimate Fangirl

6/18 Tour Blogs Stops

Review - Books and Ladders

Interview -  Book Stack Amber

Review -  YA and Wine

Review - A Thousand Words A Million Books

Unique Post (Characters in Social Media) - Live Love Read YA

6/25 Tour Blog Stops

Interview - Hopeful Reads

Review - Olivia’s Catastrophe

Review - Bayy in Wonderland

Review - Curly Hair Bibliophile

Unique Post (Mood Board) - A Book and A Cup of Coffee

Sunday Street Team: A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess

This month's Sunday Street Team book is A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING by Jessica Cluess!!


This is my first time participating in SST (which is hosted by the incomparable Nori at ReadWriteLove28)  and I am so excited to talk about this fiery book! :D This book features one of the most badass, strong female protagonists I have read about in a long time and she can burst into flames which is such a plus!

Review:

4 magical stars for a magical novel!

"I know what it is to love someone so much that you would move the world only to see them smile"

CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT QUOTE BECAUSE AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

So imagine trying to write a review that you had lots of opinions on... but didn't write the review right away so you're kind of kicking yourself in the butt trying to formulate your opinions coherently? This is me trying to write this review. Which I have spent a significant amount of time trying to write... But alas, the words weren't really coming to me.

And then the book was released into the world and something just burned up inside me and I know what I need to say to do this book justice. (OR DO I?)

This book is a beautiful burn of a book. Yes, alliteration is my favorite thing, that's why I'm using it. IT WAS REALLY GOOD GUYS.

This book follows Henrietta Howel as she learns to control her powers which are basically:

FLAME ON

 and further develop them while dealing with these many boys who think they are better than her... and these Ancient's, the vicious creatures that are trying to destroy the world. GOD THE ANCIENTS ARE THE BEST FREAKING PART. THEY MAKE ME SO HAPPY IN A MORBID WAY AND I CANNOT GET ENOUGH!!!!

Henrietta is immediately likable and her journey and growth throughout the book is so realistic. (Which is really funny to say about a fantasy book lol)  I love that it's not too fast, and not too slow.

The feud between magicians being tricksters and sorcerers being the higher class chosen ones was extremely well done and I love how it all played out in the novel. It's hard to talk  about these things without giving things away, damn it...

The boys are swoonworthy af. There is definitely a potential for a love shape but honestly it didn't bother me... From Magnus to my personal favorite Dee... they are beautiful. There is something incredibly special about each boy and I'm just super proud of the way Jessica Cluess wrote these characters.

I could talk for a long time on Dee, and he wasn't even a huge part of the novel... which made me sad... because he was my favorite! Mostly because he was a redhead. (And I love redheads. One of my favorite fictional characters EVER, I'm looking at you Jude from The Darkest Minds, is a redhead. He brings me so much joy and I will bring everything back to him... :)  ) Anyways, Dee was a sweetheart and too pure for this world. And did I mention he is a redhead? :)

Anyways, the character dynamics are beautiful. I love the bickering between Magnus and Henrietta and Blackwood. I love the growth of Blackwood. He became one of the strongest and one of my favorite characters in the novel.

"you've suffered a great deal. Remember you're not the only one."

This quote angered me like no other. Mostly in context of the specific time this was uttered. I like the idea but GOD IT PISSED ME OFF I WAS SO MAD AT THE CHARACTER THAT SAID IT AHHHH.

If you haven't already realized this book made me feel so many emotions. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it in this incoherent review thing.

Literally, I don't think I can really say anything bad about this book. It was slow in parts, and dragged slightly, but overall the magic that is held within the books pages made up for any slow aspect of the book.

Honestly, my actual favorite character was ROOK. He's such a heartbreaking character and learning his story was my favorite journey that we went on. I want to know everything about him, ever. His character arc and story arc was just perfect and shattering.

The romance in this book is mostly a tease, but I actually quite like that. It was both frustrating and perfect at the same time and I really like that. I am always picky about romance. And it's generally too much for me, or not enough but I feel this worked perfectly for the novel.

I do, have a criticism... now that I think about it. I feel like the way Jessica twisted tropes was very well done but I do feel more could be done. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this book and thought the writing was great and very true to the time period... but there was something slightly missing. A little bit of magic was missing. Just a little. And I feel bad even thinking this. But I know that the sequel will be more magical and have what I was missing in this novel.

Mostly, this book was just loads of fun that I really enjoyed reading. I can definitely see where problems of pace and originality issues could arise for some readers... but for me, I thought the enjoyable sections far outshined the slow ones.

Jessica Cluess is a phenomenal writer and storyteller and I'm highly anticipating the sequel!

Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23203252-a-shadow-bright-and-burning?ac=1&from_search=true

Synopsis (GR):

I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer. The prophesied one. Or am I?

Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she's brought to London to train with Her Majesty's sorcerers, she meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, young men eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. As Henrietta discovers the secrets hiding behind the glamour of sorcerer life, she begins to doubt that she's the true prophesied one. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city—and the one she loves?

About the Author:

JESSICA CLUESS is a writer, a graduate of Northwestern University, and an unapologetic nerd. After college, she moved to Los Angeles, where she served coffee to the rich and famous while working on her first novel. When she's not writing books, she's an instructor at Writopia Lab, helping kids and teens tell their own stories.

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STALKING JACK THE RIPPER by Kerri Maniscalco Blog Tour!

Welcome to Roecker Reviews

The 5th Stop on this wonderful Blog Tour!

And I'm super excited to be a part of this...

and here I am to tell you about Stalking Jack The Ripper and why I am SO excited for this novel!!!

First off, THE BEAUTIFUL COVER!

Although I think it would be prettier if you cut off the presented by James Patterson banner across the top... I still the cover is GORGEOUS!!!

AND SYNOPSIS TIME:

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

While this synopsis is short, it dazzles and excites while enticing readers into this world! I'm so damn excited to meet Audrey Rose and the rest of the characters in SJTR because from everything I've heard... they are unforgettable!

Here are the many reasons I am excited for SJTR:

1. Characters. Each and every one. I'm excited to meet feminist badass Audrey Rose, the suave Thomas and everyone else that we shall meet within!

2. I'm excited that this book follows bloody things and forensic medicine because I've always LOVED TV shows that have been like this and I am even more stoked if it has any of the humor from Psych or White Collar mixed with the bloody and creepy of Criminal Minds and CSI. That's my hope and the whole idea of the book gives off that vibe!

3. I'm in LOVE with mysteries. I mean Scooby Doo was my favorite thing in THE WORLD growing up so any form of mystery that will be held in this book will make me happy. And this is much bloodier I'm sure. SO YES FOR MYSTERIES AND BLOOD!!!

4. It doesn't hurt that Kerri Maniscalco is one of the sweetest humans in the world and I'm actually excited to see how dark this book can get because Kerri gives off such a bright positive energy and I have a feeling the words in this page us will surprise us in all of the best of ways!

5. VICTORIAN ERA

 

(I actually have no idea what she is saying nor do I care but I thought the dress was appropriate.)

6. I mean the hype really helps making me excited!!!! :D

7. I'm honestly just so so so excited for this book and I hope you are too!

Literally exactly how I feel about this book right now!

Here are the links to platforms to preorder this bloody book!

Goodreads   |   Amazon   |   Barnes& Noble   |  Indiebound

Here are the links to Kerri Maniscalco's platforms!

Twitter   |  Facebook   |   Instagram   |   Website   |   Tumblr   |   Pinterest

Are you excited for Stalking Jack The Ripper? Let me know why in the comments! And continue following the blog tour as it goes every day until release day (September 20th)!!! :D

Excerpt #2: The Queen's Poisoner by Jeff Wheeler

Amazon | B&N

ABOUT THE QUEEN’S POISONER:

As usurper of the throne, the rule of King Severn Argentine’s is already highly contested. To keep his power, King Argentine rules with an iron fist and destroys any opposition. In a failed coup attempt the Duke of Kiskaddon loses his son as a permanent prisoner to the king to ensure his loyalty.

THE QUEEN’S POISONER follows the Duke’s young son Owen on his journey for redemption and revenge as he figures out how to survive the court of Kingfountain. In order to keep his head and gain the merciless king’s favor, Owen must delve deeper into the world of mystery and secrecy that surrounds him. Readers will be clamoring for the next installment of The Kingfountain Series.

Excerpt 2: Chapter 17

A sound whispered from the corridor behind him. It was a footfall. Not the sound of a boot in the corridor beyond the wall. The sound of someone approaching within the tunnel. It was coming from behind him.
The queasiness blossomed inside Owen and a cold sweat started on his brow. Going back was no longer an option. The tunnel was narrow and there was no place to hide, so Owen hurried forward, hoping to find an escape into the main palace corridor. It would be infinitely better to be punished for wandering the hall at night than to be caught in the Espion corridor. His little heart started to hammer wildly in his chest and the blackness in front of him became even darker somehow.
He heard the footfalls again, coming closer.
The boy was starting to panic. Ankarette had warned him this could happen. She had told him it was dangerous to wander the tunnels alone and that he needed to be very cautious and always listen for sounds that were out of place. Such as the footfalls behind him.
The narrow pinch of the corridor suddenly filled in ahead of Owen, the walls closing like an arrowhead. It ended abruptly and finally. It was a dead-end.

WANT MORE INFORMATION? Here's the first post where I introduced the book!
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Excerpt #1: The Queen's Poisoner by Jeff Wheeler

Amazon | B&N

ABOUT THE QUEEN’S POISONER:

As usurper of the throne, the rule of King Severn Argentine’s is already highly contested. To keep his power, King Argentine rules with an iron fist and destroys any opposition. In a failed coup attempt the Duke of Kiskaddon loses his son as a permanent prisoner to the king to ensure his loyalty.

THE QUEEN’S POISONER follows the Duke’s young son Owen on his journey for redemption and revenge as he figures out how to survive the court of Kingfountain. In order to keep his head and gain the merciless king’s favor, Owen must delve deeper into the world of mystery and secrecy that surrounds him. Readers will be clamoring for the next installment of The Kingfountain Series.

Excerpt 1: Chapter 28

The wild frenzied feeling of plummeting reminded him partway down that he should be terrified, but then the shock of cold water met his face and he plunged into its depths. His feet touched the bottom of the cistern. His hand still gripped hers.
Owen opened his eyes and found himself surrounded by a pile of treasure. He felt a huge burst of excitement in his ribs as he stared at the sword hilts, the jewels and necklaces. The Mortimer girl was tugging at his hand and trying to swim up, but he pulled back, not wanting to lose sight of the treasure. There was so much! But then he noticed something awry. There was a gap in the treasure, as if someone had dragged a rake through it. No, that wasn’t it. One of the chests appeared to have been dragged back towards the stairs. The dragging motion had cleared a path through the bounty and knocked other bits over.
His companion was yanking hard on his hand now, and when he looked up, he saw bubbles were coming out of her mouth, obscuring her face.
Owen wanted to stay down and figure out what had happened to the treasure, but they both needed to breathe. He pushed with his legs and they started towards the surface. As they moved through the water, a loud grinding noise filled his water-soaked ears.
When Owen’s face broke the surface, he gulped in a chest full of air to stop his lungs from burning. The Mortimer girl was spluttering and paddling on the waters.
“Owen! Did you hear that noise?”
Owen looked and saw they were farther away from stairs. In fact, they were gliding away from it at a fast pace.
“What’s wrong?” Owen asked, kicking around. The water was tugging them deeper into the dark cistern.

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Book Blitz: The Queen's Poisoner by Jeff Wheeler

Today I get to bring to you a book I am personally super excited for and it released just two days ago on April 1st! Not only does is the cover GORGEOUS, but the book sounds so intriguing and offers a promising world with rich characters....

And below is a whole lot of information regarding The Queen's Poisoner, an excerpt, and even a little giveaway for all of y'all :)

The Queen’s Poisoner
Book 1 of The Kingfountain Series
By Jeff Wheeler

Beware the king who rules with a bloodstained hand.

 “Wheeler (the Covenant of Muirwood series) [takes]a long, deep look into a young character and his circumscribed world—an unusual move for a first book in a series…the emotional range and insight he convincingly portrays in his child hero make for a political drama that can entice adult and teen audiences alike.”
– Publishers Weekly

Amazon | B&N

ABOUT THE QUEEN’S POISONER:
As usurper of the throne, the rule of King Severn Argentine’s is already highly contested. To keep his power, King Argentine rules with an iron fist and destroys any opposition. In a failed coup attempt the Duke of Kiskaddon loses his son as a permanent prisoner to the king to ensure his loyalty.

THE QUEEN’S POISONER follows the Duke’s young son Owen on his journey for redemption and revenge as he figures out how to survive the court of Kingfountain. In order to keep his head and gain the merciless king’s favor, Owen must delve deeper into the world of mystery and secrecy that surrounds him. Readers will be clamoring for the next installment of The Kingfountain Series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 Jeff Wheeler took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to become a full-time author. He is, most importantly, a husband and father, and a devout member of his church. He is occasionally spotted roaming among the oak trees and granite boulders in the hills of California or in any number of the state’s majestic redwood groves. He is the author of The Covenant of Muirwood Trilogy, The Legends of Muirwood Trilogy, the Whispers from Mirrowen Trilogy, and the Landmoor Series.

To learn more about Jeff Wheeler visit his website:
www.jeff-wheeler.com

You can follow him @muirwoodwheeler

Excerpt from THE QUEEN’S POISONER:

“But the king’s army prevailed after all,” Eleanor said weakly. “And now he thinks you a traitor.”
“From where I sat, it looked like Horwath would be destroyed. The men were fighting slothfully. No one’s heart was in it to defend Ceredigion from the invader. But then the king summoned his knights and rode into battle himself. The conflict was raging below them when they made their charge. I watched it, Eleanor. There were only twenty . . . maybe thirty knights in all, but they came like a flood. As if the very Fountain were driving them. They clashed with lances and swords. The king himself unhorsed his enemy and then jumped from his injured horse and killed the man with his own sword. The invaders swarmed him, but he fought as if he had the strength of a dozen men. They fell away from him, and when they saw his triumph, Horwath’s men became demons!” His eyes were wide with shock and amazement. “Severn defeated them by himself. Even with his twisted leg and his hunchback, he was unstoppable. I rode hard to join the fray and helped capture the fallen army. The king’s crown had fallen from his head during the fighting and I found it in a hawthorn bush. I told him . . . I told him that I was loyal.” His face went white.
Eleanor felt her knees losing strength. She clutched to her husband, as if they were alone on an island and the waves of the sea were crashing around them, trying to drag them into the surf. Her ears were ringing with the words.
“The king ordered Jorganon’s death. He mocked me, saying perhaps I still had sons to spare. And so he sent Horwath with me to bid you the tidings. Thus sayeth King Severn Argentine to the Lady Eleanor Kiskaddon: Choose you another son to be hostage, to live in the palace of Kingfountain under His Majesty’s wardship. Prove your good faith and obedience. Pick the son who will stand as surety for your house.”
 Lady Eleanor would have fainted, but she somehow managed to keep her feet. She looked up at her husband. “I must trust that man with another of my children?” Her heart hammered violently in her chest and she quailed under the weight of her grief. “That . . . that . . . butcher?”
“Stiev Horwath has come to bring the child to Kingfountain,” her husband said, his look full of misery. “If we do not choose, he will execute our entire family for treason now.”
Lady Eleanor sobbed against her husband’s chest. It was a choice no mother should be forced to make. Should she sacrifice one child so that all the others might live? But King Severn was ruthless and cunning. Would the child she selected be the only of her children to survive?
She wept bitterly, swallowed by grief and unable to think. Who could she part with? Why had the choice even been given to her if not to make her suffering more acute? She hated the king. She hated him with all her passion, all her grief. How could she decide such a thing? How would she hand one of her boys over to a man who had murdered his own brother’s sons? The king’s hands were so wet with blood a trail probably dribbled wherever he went.
In her grief, she did not hear the door open or the soft padding of feet. She did not notice until Owen’s arms wrapped around their legs.
He squeezed them both so hard, and though she could not hear any words, she could imagine his thoughts, his childlike attempt to comfort them. There, there, Maman, Papan. There, there! It will be all right, Maman, Papan. There, there!
She stared down at her son, her innocent son. And then a memory stirred.
A memory of the royal midwife who had saved his life.
Her chest became tight with anticipation. Perhaps she could get a secret message to the sanctuary of Our Lady, a plea to protect her son, the boy who had been saved once before. She could endure the separation, the despair, so long as she could cling to a thread of hope.
She knew that a thread was all she could expect.

I hope you all are as excited about this as I am! I will be posting another excerpt tomorrow sometime so lookout for that! Let's buy this book guys! It sounds phenomenal and I cannot wait to get reading!

Have a great day/night guys!

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