Posted on by Jacquie Biggar

#TuesdayBookReviews- Catling’s Bane @DWallacePeach, Between Hello & Goodbye @EmmaS_Writes, The Make-Up Test @jennylhowe


It’s been so nice outside that I haven’t had much time to visit the blogs, much less come up with a brilliant post {difficult at any time!}, but hope to comment here and there throughout the summer- my apologies.

It was hubby’s birthday on the weekend. We spent the day eating fresh berries and talking about years gone by, it was a nice time.

I’ve had a list of NetGalley books to work my way through, and I’m happy to say I’m almost caught up! Now, I just need to get those pesky reviews written up, lol

I’m starting today’s list out with one of my favorite blogging authors- D. Wallace Peach. Her fantasy books are filled with immersive worlds and complex characters, while her writing is lyrical and engaging.

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Catling – She’s a weapon desired by those who reign and those who rebel.

Young Catling is born to a life of poverty in the warrens under the piers of one of the tiered cities of Elegeance. A distinctive rose birthmark covers her eye, setting her apart not just in looks but in the ability she has to see how the Influencer’s Guild manipulates emotions to get their way.

Traded by her mother for a tippance, Catling leaves the city streets behind and learns the meaning of family with a farmer, his two wives, and a group of other children they’ve taken in, including Whitt, a young boy she immediately connects with.

On a trip back to the warrens for hanging day festivities, Catling learns of the power she possesses to break the threads of influence and allow people to witness the true horror of the hangings. This gets her the attention of an underlord determined to change the laws they survive by, even if it puts Catling in danger.

As it becomes obvious something, or someone, is disrupting the influencers from their grip on the people’s emotions, the search for Catling begins. Her life is once again turned upside down as the thirst for power grows and corruption is around every corner.

This is an epic fantasy that lives up to its promise to thrill and entertain its readers- highly recommended!

Between Hello and Goodbye is a contemporary romance about love, loss, and experiencing life in all its facets. 

When Faith blows an important meeting after a drunken hook-up, her boss gives her an ultimatum- taken time off, get her head on straight, come back with a new attitude, or don’t come back at all.

Left with no choice, Faith books herself into a quiet vacation condo in Kauai and promptly twists her foot on a hike the first day and gets rescued by a handsome firefighter with shadows in his eyes. Well, she can relate, and in a weird way is grateful for friendship he offers while she heals.

Though they have good intentions, Faith and Asher soon become embroiled in an attraction they can’t deny, but how can they reconcile their very different lifestyles?

This is a heartwarming book of two lonely souls who find a lasting love after a devastating loss- break out the tissues!

In this smart, swoony, rom-com debut from Jenny L. Howe, two college exes find themselves battling against each other—and their unresolved feelings—for a spot in a prestigious literature Ph.D. program.

Amazon Link

Set against a background of English literature, this is a friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-rivals-to…

Plus-sized Allison has always been ridiculed by her father and had to develop a tough skin to pursue her dream of a PHD in English literature. When she’s accepted to a program with a professor she’s always looked up to, it seems as though her luck is changing- that is until her ex-boyfriend is assigned as her collaborator and only one of them will win a place on her team at the end of the course.

Colin is ashamed for the way he ended his relationship with Allison and is determined to make reparations and maybe even get a second chance with the one who got away.

This is a fun read with plenty of bickering, overcoming prejudice, and forgiveness. I would have liked less backstory, but overall an enjoyable read.

Are you familiar with these authors? Do you have any summer recommendations? My hydrangeas are opening!

66 Replies to “#TuesdayBookReviews- Catling’s Bane @DWallacePeach, Between Hello & Goodbye @EmmaS_Writes, The Make-Up Test @jennylhowe”

  5. Wonderful reviews and beautiful photos! Thank you, Jacquie. Fresh berries sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday… 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Happy belated bday to the hubby. Glad he had a good day. Great reviews. I haven’t read that book by Diana. Time to move it up my list. Hugs xo

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Diana introduced me to fantasy and now I’m hooked, lol. Emma writes with deep emotional depth and isn’t afraid to tackle tough subjects. Jenny is a new-to-me author that I enjoyed. All are great summer reading choices!

      Liked by 2 people

  12. I’m a big fan of Diana’s writing (though, like you, I’ve never been that much of a fantasy reader). The other one that sounds particularly intriguing is The Make-Up Test. Not precisely the same premise, but it reminded me of me graduating from school with all these other friends about to become teachers. Suddenly, you’re competing against friends for the precious few jobs—definitely a weird dynamic!

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Thanks for the kind word, Robbie. If you pick up the book, I hope you enjoy it. I’m reading book 6 in Jacquie’s Wounded Hearts series right now. I can wholeheartedly recommend that series if you haven’t given it a try. Happy Reading!

      Liked by 2 people

  14. Wonderful review of Diana’s book. “immersive worlds and complex characters, while her writing is lyrical and engaging”–no better description. I’m also working through a NetGalley list and really really need to write the reviews!

    Liked by 2 people

  16. What a sweet treat to find Catling over here, Jacquie. I’ve been running around like a nut, and it was fun to land here, take a breath, and smile. I’m glad you enjoyed the read. I have a soft spot for Catling. All she wants is a home and a family, the poor thing. Thanks for the intro to Emma and Jenny’s books. They sound like wonderful summer reads. Thanks for the wonderful review and huge hugs. And enjoy your hubby and your garden and the warm lazy days of reading. Huge hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. What fabulous reviews, Jacquie! Sorry, I’m a bit late to the party, but I just arrived home last night. I have Catling’s Bane waiting for me on my Kindle and look forward to diving into it. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!

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