Author: Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

Bookish Asks ~ An (un)Conventional Farewell to 2020

Linda and I typically list our favorites for the year in the final week of December. However, 2020 hasn’t been typical in any way so we decided we’d end the year in an (un)Conventional way. 😉 Thanks to lettercollectors on Tumblr for the Bookish Asks. What book did you finish last and when was that? I finished Layla by Colleen Hoover last – on December 19. I finished Driven by Rebecca Zanetti on December 29th… not sure if there will be one more or not. What are you currently reading? I’m reading Dream Chaser by Kristen Ashley. I’m reading The Twelve Dukes of Christmas by Erica Ridley. It’s so much fun! What was the last book you added to your […]

Posted 31 December, 2020 by Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 11 Comments

Blogger Wife Chat Review ~ Storm ~ Michelle Mankin

Well, wifey, I feel MMankin has outdone herself with Storm. She delivered everything I’ve come to expect from her and more! My fingers are crossed for books for Saber, Shield, and Cork. 😉 Oh my gosh, I so agree! It was so, so good. I loved every single word, lyric, look, and touch. It was really well written, and the characters were out of this world. I admired how MMankin built the story of Lotus and Storm being childhood friends. They both experienced traumatic things in their young lives and were anchors for each other. Eventually, though, Storm had to leave. His leaving was realistically portrayed and I appreciated even more how MMankin brought Lotus and Storm back together. […]

Posted 7 December, 2020 by Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 4 Comments

New Release Review ~ Taking on the Billionaire ~ Robin Covington

Taking on the Billionaire served as my introduction to RCovington and I’m thrilled to have met her as well as her MCs, Adam & Tess. RCovington delivered a compelling story with well-drawn characters that kept me engaged the their story. I’m eager for more and anxious over the few questions she left me with in the end. 😉 Highlights Characters Both Adam and Tess suffered traumatic experiences at young ages. Adam was wrongly removed from his family home, taken from his siblings and his Cherokee heritage. He ended up adopted by a wealthy family who clearly cared more for their image than their new son. Tess was abandoned by her mother and lost her father not much later. She was […]

Posted 2 December, 2020 by Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 3 Comments

Review ~ Kindred – A Graphic Novel Adaptation ~ Octavia Butler, Damian Duffy, John Jennings

I read the graphic novel adaptation of Kindred at the request of my daughter, Berk. She read it at the beginning of her freshman year of college (2019) and was so moved by it she wanted to share. I was equally moved by it and I intend to read the novel now as well. The story told in Kindred – that of a black woman being continually pulled back in time to save her white ancestor – translated well as a graphic novel. The illustrations superbly conveyed the setting, mood, and emotion of the story and characters. I don’t feel qualified to discuss the finer details of a graphic novel since this is only the third one I’ve ever read […]

Posted 23 November, 2020 by Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 4 Comments

OctobeRec Fest Review #3 ~ The Immortal Coil ~ J. Armand

I can’t believe October flew by so quickly and I only got 4 books read! But OctobeRec Fest was successful in my opinion. I read some good books and got 4 books off my shelf. 😉 Be on the lookout for a blogger wife chat review soon of Carmilla – the 4th book I checked off my list. I didn’t quite finish The Immortal Coil before October ended but I was close. 😉 Kristen @ Metaphors & Moonlight turned me on to The Immortal Coil AND I happened to win a signed copy in a giveaway she held. Yay! Oh, and the beer pairing? Four Noses Pump Action Pumpkin Ale. Yum! For a large portion of the book, I was […]

Posted 4 November, 2020 by Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 3 Comments

OctobeRec Fest Review #2 ~ Torn from You ~ Nashoda Rose

OctobeRec Fest review #2 – woot! Thanks to Naomi from Nomi’s Reading Palace for the recommendation! And the perfect beer pairing? Shipyard Pumpkinhead! Are you seeing a theme? I do love me some pumpkin beer. This one mixes a hazy IPA with the pumpkin and it’s a lighter finish. Again, if you like pumpkin AND beer, give this one a try. Oh, and give Nashoda Rose’s Tear Asunder series a go, too! Torn from You was a gripping and emotional read. And it was a satisfying wrap-up to Emily and Logan’s (aka Sculpt) story. It had been awhile since I’d read With You, the prequel to Torn from You, so I re-read it before diving in. I’m happy I did […]

Posted 21 October, 2020 by Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 4 Comments

OctobeRec Fest Review #1 ~ Betwixt ~ Darynda Jones

Here’s my first review for OctobeRec Fest. Thanks to Robyn for the recommendation and gift of a great book! 😉 And the perfect beer pairing? Samuel Adams’ Jack-O! Omigosh do I love this beer! Pumpkin with the perfect amount of pumpkin spice. If you like pumpkin AND beer, give this one a try. And pick up Betwixt too! 🙂 Betwixt is an excellent introduction to DJones’ Betwixt & Between series. I was immediately drawn into the story as the characters, especially Defiance (is there a better name for a witch?!?), are so engaging. Then there’s the setting – an old home in Salem, Massachusetts. It all adds up to a witchy good time! Highlights: Characters Dephne (Defiance) is a character […]

Posted 20 October, 2020 by Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 4 Comments

Review ~ Invest in Me ~ Nan Dixon

Invest in Me is the first book in the Big Sky Dreamers series and was the first book I’ve read from Nan Dixon. It introduced all the players in the series but focused on Sienna and Tanner. I found all the characters relatable and their stories engaging. And I look forward to continuing the series. Sienna and Tanner had a one-night-stand. One where he disappeared without a word the next morning. Sienna was, understandably, hurt because they’d spent a lot of time talking and she thought they’d really hit it off. And their chemistry was hot. Fast forward ~6 months and Tanner’s in one of Sienna’s classes. Worse than that, she’s assigned to be in a semester long project group […]

Posted 7 October, 2020 by Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 4 Comments

OctobeRec Fest ~ It’s That Time Again!

It’s that time again…time for OctobeRec Fest. Yay! I’m sure I’m not alone in being a collector of books after reading a raving review or hearing a reader friend gush. Right? Right?!? So I started this feature as a nod to Oktoberfest but added books into the mix. (books & beer…heaven, am I right?!?) I so enjoy making a point to read the books that a blogging/reading friend recommended. Maybe this year I’ll include the beers I try this month with my reviews. 😉 Here are a few of the books I’m hoping to get to this month. I’m sure you’ll recognize your recommendations but I’ll try to make sure to call you out in my reviews. 😉 And if I […]

Posted 1 October, 2020 by Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Challenges / 5 Comments

Review ~ Next in Line ~ Amy Daws #unearthingabookishbounty

I think I loved Next in Line even more than Wait With Me! There were plenty of laughs, of course, but there was something about Maggie that resonated with me. Witnessing the romance between her and Sam blossom was moving as well as humorous and HOT! Maggie is in Boulder on a mission. She wants to be more adventurous…to find her inner-explorer. This mission was spurred by her boyfriend calling her basic and breaking up with her. On Christmas Day. Anyway, she finds herself at a bait shop because nothing says adventurous like…ice fishing. 😉 Luckily, she happens upon a handsome guy who not only defends her honor but also agrees to serve as her guide. Sam is nothing if […]