Two Dogs and a Book

Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor My rating: 4 of 5 stars Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor is the second book in the Strange the Dreamer Series. Lazlo is now in the citadel and is understanding more and more who he is. Sarai is dead, but not dead. Who they thought were once enemies, are no longer enemies; and they are now facing new foes. This is a fantastic and complex series. Laini Taylor transports her readers in a fantasy world filled with multifaceted characters. If you are looking for a series which will make you think and entertain you, this is the one. Follow me on Blogger @ http://guylous.blogspot.com or on Instagram @twodogsandabook to see my latest book reviews. 🔹 🔹 #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #book #books #booklover #bookish #bookreview #bookdragon #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookaddicted #bookishcanadians #museofnightmares #lainitaylor #fiction #fantasy View all my reviews

Looker by Laura Sims My rating: 3 of 5 stars QOTD: Which actor or actress would you love to live on your street? My Review: This book has such a pretty cover. The story is written in the voice of an unnamed woman who has experienced major traumatic events in her life. After several failed IVFs, her husband walks out and leaves her with his cat. The story takes you on this woman’s ups and downs as she is facing the loneliness of separation, fighting to keep the cat, and seeing her teaching career coming to an end. While all this is happening, you also discover that she is obsessed with a movie star who is living on her street. She is so taken by this actress that she is willing to do what it takes to get close to her. A lot of the dialogue is in her head and paints a pretty insane picture. The story did not grab me, and I decided to give a generous 3 stars only because it was short, and the writing was good. I want to thank Simon and Schuster for the advanced copy of ...

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 QOTD: Do you believe in miracles? A big thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for giving me an advanced reader copy of this fantabulous book. The cover is one of the most beautiful I have seen this year. The story was just as stunning. I was quite excited to have the opportunity and read and review this book as it deals with CF (Cystic Fibrosis). This subject is near and dear to my heart as I lost my cousin to this disease. Benoît and I were very close from almost birth and I saw him fight all his life. Unfortunately, he lost the battle at age 36 while waiting for a lung transplant. FIVE FEET APART is the story of Stella, a teenager who has CF and is waiting for a set of lungs to be available for transplant. While in the hospital, she meets Will, another CF patient. Will has a death wish and rebels against his treatments. Stella is determined to help him live and, with much persistence, succeeds to convince him to follow his m...

Deadly Camargue by Cay Rademacher My rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5 QOTD: Who is your favorite painter/artist? My Review: What does the murder of a rice mogul, the theft of a van Gogh Painting, and the gruesome death of a journalist by bull impalement have in common? You will have to read this awesome detective novel to find out. Capitaine Blanc is on a case which will look in the past and present. What appears to be an accident, smells like murder to him. I was attracted to this book because of its van Gogh connection. I am a big fan of the artist and I am always interested to read stories where he is involved (in some way). This detective novel is intelligent and gripping. There are so many clues and many suspects. This novel is the second book in the Provence Mystery Series. I love all the French references and landscapes. If you like Agatha Christie books, you will like this one. A big thank you to Minotaur Book and St. Martin’s Publishing Group of my advanced reader’s copy of this awesome detect...

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks My rating: 4 of 5 stars QOTD: Could you tell a lie without feeling guilt? My Review: The QOTD is the first question on a questionnaire Jess is about to take. The questionnaire is a morality test. Jess is participating in this study under false pretense, so how will she do on a test that is asking her to be honest, provide her first and instinctive response, and expand on her response thoroughly? She must have done well since Dr. Shields selects her for further testing which will provide her with some financial relief. Jess is soon discovering that Dr. Lydia Shields is more than what meets the eyes and that this expanded experiment is becoming dangerous. There is much at stake and Jess is feeling trapped. How can she end this experiment without hurting those she loves? I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. This nail-biting thriller wil...

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris My rating: 5 of 5 stars As I ponder what I just read, I find myself unable to put to words the feelings this books evoked in me. Even taking a picture of this book for my bookstagram caused a huge internal dilemma. How can I stage a book which contains such a painful story and yet has a happy ending? I opted for the laurel leaves which are a symbol of victory and honor. In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau where he is forced to become the tattooist who engraved the numbers on the prisoners' arms. It was a question of survival and he used his position to help as many prisoners as he could. This novel is based on the true story of Lale Sokolov. This is a story of love and survival which will move you. Follow me on Blogger @ http://guylous.blogspot.comor on Instagram @twodogsandabook to see my latest book reviews. 🔹 🔹 #bookstagram...

The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg My rating: 5 of 5 stars I am so happy I finished reading this spectacular book in the comfort of my living room and not on the commuter train. This striking story about a 96-year-old woman who decides to write short stories about the people listed in her address book as a memento to her great-niece, made me cry like a baby. On her 10th birthday, Doris receives a red address book from her father. Shortly after, her father dies, and her life is set unto a path which will lead her to new countries, new escapades and many heartaches. She will meet extraordinary people and some not so much. As a young woman in Paris, she meets Allan and it is love at first sight. Allan disappears suddenly, and her heart is broken, but it will not be the last time they will be together. This is a heartening story of love, loss, making mistakes, atoning oneself, and finding love again. I want to thank Raincoast Books for the advanced copy of The Re...

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton My rating: 5 of 5 stars Cuba is one of my favorite countries to visit. My hubby and I love the people, the history and the beaches. There are two places we like to visit: Varadero and Cayo Coco. During one of our trips to Varadero, we took a day tour to Havana. There was so much to see and experience. We visited Revolution Square, old Havana where all the wealthy Cuban families used to live, we ate at one of the bars where Hemingway used to hang out and we visited his room at the Hotel Ambos Mundos. Havana is stuck in a time capsule, but it has been changing a lot for the past five years. It is starting to catch up with the rest of the world. Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton is the story of the Perez family from the Revolution to the return of the grand-daughter. Elisa is fulfilling the last wishes of her grandmother and is bringing back her ashes to Cuba. Elisa thought she knew her grandmother and her family well, but she will ...

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is another outstanding novel based on a real character by Marie Benedict. The Only Woman in the Room is the story of Hedy Kiesler, an Austrian rising star. After a controversial movie debut, she finds find great success in the role of Empress Elizabeth at the theatre. She is quickly noticed by Austrian weapon dealer, Fritz Mandl who pursues her interminably until she accepts to become his wife. Hedy’s life with Fritz is not all rose and eventually escapes to America where she becomes Hedy Lamarr, Hollywood star. Hedy has a secret which is eating at her. In an effort to atone herself, she recruits the help of music composer George Antheil to develop a radio guidance system which would increase the accuracy of torpedoes. How can a movie star and a music composer develop such an advanced technology? Don’t be surprised and read the book. You will find out that Hedy Lamarr is much more than just beauty,...

Creating Sanctuary: Sacred Garden Spaces, Plant-Based Medicine, and Daily Practices to Achieve Happiness and Well-Being by Jessi Bloom My rating: 5 of 5 stars Creating Sanctuary is simply tremendous. I was attracted to the book because I am planning to work on my backyard next year and needed some inspiration on what I need to consider to create a little heaven on Earth. To my surprise, this book gave me so much more than what I expected. Each section is filled with insights on the benefits of having a sanctuary and which plants and trees to look for to produce peace and balance. I particularly appreciated all the beneficial information regarding each plant and tree. This is a perfect book to offer as a gift to anyone who is seeking balance in his or her life in a natural way. Many recipes are available, and the photographs are beautiful. I can’t wait to start on my sanctuary and apply the wisdom I receive from this remarkable book. A big thank you to NetGalley and Timber Press...

Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks My rating: 3 of 5 stars Every Breath is another heartfelt story by Nicholas Sparks. After seeing a picture of his mom with a man who looks like him; Tru travels from his Zimbabwe home to America to meet his dad for the first time. While waiting to see him, he meets Hope and immediately falls in love with her. But love is never simple (at least in Sparks's books 😊), and their relationship is challenged right from the start. Can they be free to love each other? You have to read this beautiful book to find out. 🔹 Follow me on Blogger @ http://guylous.blogspot.com or on Instagram @twodogsandabook to see my latest book reviews. 🔹 🔹 #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #book #books #booklover #bookish #bookreview #bookdragon #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookaddicted #bookishcanadians #everybreath #nicholassparks #fiction View all my reviews

Season of Wonder by RaeAnne Thayne My rating: 3 of 5 stars Single mom Dr. Daniella Capelli’s life has not been a trip to the beach; she has had lots of downs and not many ups with the exception of her two daughters, Silver, and Mia. Despite all the challenges life has thrown at her; Dani has completed her veterinary studies and has an opportunity to start a new life Haven Point. Officer Morales is her gorgeous neighbour and son of her boss. He is single, and the attraction is immediate on both sides. This could jeopardize what she has worked so hard for. As she is falling for him, her secrets are coming to the surface and could ruin everything. To add to the matter, her daughter Silver is bringing attention to them by vandalism some neighbour properties. Did she do it of her own accord or was she compelled to do it? Office Morales wants to help, but these secrets are getting in the way. This is a light read with a Christmas holiday theme. It is filled with beautiful scener...