Review - The Rebuild at Azure Shores

 

Title: The Rebuild at Azure Shores
Author: Stephanie Doering
Publisher: Stephanie Doering
Release Date: Mar 7, 2026
Language: English
Pages: 465 pages

DESCRIPTION:

Sloane Kessler has spent a career measuring what other people only feel—the rise and fall of tides, the fragile balance of reefs, the quiet arithmetic of survival. Impulsively buying a crumbling seaside hotel was never in her data set. But the Azure Shore is more than peeling paint and storm-worn timber; it's the one place she can't explain away.

Mateo Calderón knows this coastline's moods as if they were his own. For years, he's kept the old hotel breathing—salvaging beams, coaxing gardens back to life, holding fast when everyone else let go. He isn't looking for rescue, least of all from a brilliant outsider who believes everything can be fixed if you just find the right variable.

Room by room, the Azure Shore wakes under their hands, and what begins as a restoration becomes something neither of them expected: a rebuilding of the selves they've quietly abandoned. But tides reveal as much as they erase, and the truths rising beneath the surface—about the hotel, the island, and their own guarded hearts—will force Sloane and Mateo to decide what is worth risking, and what must be released to the sea.

Because beneath the Azure Shore, saltwater carries everything you try to leave behind… and everything you hope to find.

Buy here: https://www.everand.com/book/1003855023/The-Rebuild-at-Azure-Shores

MY THOUGHTS:

The Rebuild at Azure Shores by Stephanie Doering is the kind of story that doesn’t rush. It unfolds like the tide—slow, steady, and impossible to ignore.

Sloane Kessler is a woman who understands the world through numbers, patterns, and precision. She measures what others simply feel. So when she impulsively buys a crumbling seaside hotel, it feels unlike her—almost like she’s stepping outside the life she carefully constructed. But the Azure Shore isn’t just a place. It’s a question she can’t quite solve.

Then there’s Mateo Calderón—rooted, intuitive, and deeply connected to the coastline. He doesn’t analyze the sea. He understands it. He’s spent years holding the hotel together, quietly preserving something everyone else abandoned. And he certainly isn’t waiting for someone to come in and “fix” what he’s already been fighting to protect.

What makes this story beautiful is the contrast between them. Logic and instinct. Control and surrender. Two people shaped by different ways of seeing the world, slowly learning to meet somewhere in between.

As the hotel is restored, room by room, something softer unfolds beneath the surface. This isn’t just about repairing a place—it’s about confronting the parts of themselves they’ve both neglected. The past they’ve avoided. The emotions they’ve carefully kept contained.

The writing feels atmospheric and deeply immersive. You can almost hear the waves, feel the salt in the air, see the worn wood slowly come back to life. But beneath that calm beauty is an emotional undercurrent—the quiet understanding that some things can be rebuilt, and some things must be let go.

It explores:
• The tension between logic and feeling
• The slow, fragile process of rebuilding—places and people
• The weight of the past that refuses to stay buried
• The courage it takes to risk something real

There’s something poetic about the way the sea is woven into the story. It doesn’t just exist as a setting—it mirrors everything the characters are going through. Constant, unpredictable, and full of hidden depths.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Stephanie Doering—known to many as Steph or Stephanie—was born and raised in Connecticut and now calls North Carolina home, where she lives with her husband and three teenage children. When she's not crafting captivating stories, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair, lost in the pages of a great book.

A passionate writer and avid reader, Stephanie thrives in the realms of romance, erotic & BDSM fiction, and paranormal romance, weaving tales that are both compelling and deeply engaging. Her ultimate goal as a storyteller is to craft characters so vivid and immersive that readers find themselves completely lost in their world—feeling their emotions, living their journeys, and experiencing their passions.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiestycatfurfriends?igsh=eHllZG13am5pa2ow

Where Robin Reads

Disclosure: This post contains sponsored content. All opinions are my own.

Review - The Ghost And The Gatekeeper: A Poetry Chapbook (Becoming: Life With and After Trauma 1)

Title: The Ghost And The Gatekeeper: A Poetry Chapbook (Becoming: Life With and After Trauma 1)

Author: Raymond Blythe

Publication Date: February 10, 2026

Language: English

Print Length: 47 pages

DESCRIPTION: Through a series of raw, reflective pieces, Raymond Blythe writes about growing up in an environment shaped by emotional and physical abuse, the complicated loyalty children feel toward the people who hurt them, and the difficult process of healing as an adult.

These writings explore codependency, anger, grief, and the quiet guilt that often follows family estrangement. They speak to the experience of trying to build a stable life while carrying memories that never fully left.

This is not a clinical guide or a self-help program. It is recognition.

For readers who feel alone in their past, and for those who are trying to understand a loved one who survived it, this collection offers language for emotions that are often hard to explain—and reassurance that their reactions are not abnormal.

Link to the book: https://a.co/d/07pxBL6x

MY THOUGHTS:

The Ghost And The Gatekeeper: A Poetry Chapbook (Becoming: Life With and After Trauma) by Raymond Blythe is not loud, and it does not try to be. It speaks in a quiet, steady voice—the kind that doesn’t demand attention, but holds it completely.

This collection doesn’t attempt to explain trauma in a structured or clinical way. Instead, it lets you sit inside it. Through raw, reflective pieces, Blythe explores what it means to grow up in environments shaped by emotional and physical pain—and more importantly, what it means to carry that history into adulthood.

There is a particular kind of honesty here that feels almost fragile. The poems move through anger, grief, and codependency, but also through something harder to name—the complicated loyalty we feel toward those who hurt us. The guilt that lingers even when distance becomes necessary. The quiet conflict of loving and protecting yourself at the same time.

Nothing here feels exaggerated.
Nothing feels forced.
It simply feels true.

What makes this collection so powerful is its sense of recognition. It doesn’t try to guide you toward healing or offer solutions. It offers something softer, and in many ways more meaningful—it tells you that your reactions are not abnormal, that your emotions make sense, that you are not alone in the way you carry your past.

The writing feels like memory—not always clear, not always easy, but deeply felt. It captures the reality that healing is rarely linear. That moving forward does not always mean leaving everything behind, but learning how to live alongside it.

There is a quiet comfort in that.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Raymond Blythe is a trauma survivor, father, and husband. He grew up in the Southeast and has lived there his entire life, while also traveling extensively across the United States.

An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Blythe draws from his life experiences to shape his writing. He hopes to expand his current series into full-length books over the next year to 18 months.

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/author_raymondblythe?igsh=MWVwcmpsNGY4MXRwcg==

Where Robin Reads

Disclosure: This post contains sponsored content. All opinions are my own.

Review - Dreams

Title: Dreams
Author: Imran Najafi
Publisher: XLIBRIS
Publication Date: 25 Mar. 2014
Edition: Illustrated
Language: English
Print Length: 48 pages

DESCRIPTION:

A very anti-social guy who only muses about living an extraordinary life soon finds himself in a peculiar situation. His life is thrown from boring and safe into something exciting and dangerous.

It begins with him having vivid dreams about a murder taking place in a cemetery. Upon interfering in the dream world, real-world events begin to change.

How does he do this? Why is this happening to him? This can't be real, can it? Is he the only one who can do this? Or is there someone else—and if so, are they good or bad?

Read on to find out!

Link to buy: https://amzn.eu/d/0gwe7q6D

MY THOUGHTS:

Dreams begins quietly, almost deceptively so. An antisocial protagonist, stuck in the monotony of an ordinary life, spends his time imagining something bigger—something extraordinary. But instead of chasing it, life brings it to him in the most unsettling way possible.

It starts with a dream. Not the vague, forgettable kind, but something vivid—disturbingly real. A murder in a cemetery. And then comes the moment that changes everything: he interferes.

And reality shifts.

What makes this story gripping is that it doesn’t rush to explain itself. It lets the confusion breathe. Just like the protagonist, you’re left questioning what’s real, what’s imagined, and where the line even exists. The transition from a safe, predictable life to something dangerous and unknown feels smooth yet deeply unsettling.

There’s a quiet intensity in the way the story unfolds. The main character isn’t a typical hero. He’s withdrawn, observant, and unsure of his own place in the world, which makes his connection to this strange ability even more compelling. Why him? Is he in control, or just a piece in something much larger?

And then the questions start layering: Is he the only one who can do this? If there’s someone else, are they on the same side? And most importantly—what happens when dreams stop being just dreams?

The atmosphere of the book is its strongest element. There’s a constant sense of unease, like something is always slightly off. The idea that a single action in a dream can ripple into real-world consequences adds a psychological depth that keeps you hooked.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Imran Najafi is from the county of Gloucestershire, located near picturesque countryside. He enjoys books that leave the reader wanting more, drawn to stories that linger in the mind long after the final page.

Where Robin Reads

       Disclosure: This post contains sponsored content. All opinions are my own.

Review - When I Can’t See You

Title: When I Can't See You

Author: Dr. Haley T. Arias

Publisher: Mascot Kids

Publication Date: April 1, 2025
Language: English
Print Length: 32 pages

DESCRIPTION:

GRIEF IS HARD AND CONFUSING, EVEN FOR ADULTS. A poignant take on where to look when grief seems too big for our little ones, When I Can't See You sparks conversations about navigating loss.

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MY THOUGHTS:

When I Can’t See You is a gentle and heartfelt book that helps children navigate one of the most difficult emotions anyone can face—grief. Even for adults, loss can feel overwhelming and confusing, so explaining it to a child requires a special kind of care and sensitivity. This book approaches that challenge with compassion and warmth.

Dr. Haley T. Arias creates a space where difficult conversations can begin naturally. Instead of offering complicated explanations, the story focuses on helping children understand that love and connection don’t disappear just because someone is no longer physically present. It reassures young readers that the feelings they experience during loss are valid and that they are not alone in their sadness.

What stood out to me is how the book encourages dialogue. It doesn’t try to rush children through grief or simplify it too much. Instead, it gently opens the door for families, caregivers, and educators to talk about emotions that are often hard to put into words.

The message feels comforting rather than heavy. It reminds readers that memories, love, and the presence we feel in our hearts can continue even when we can’t see someone anymore.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Dr. Haley T. Arias is no stranger to loss. She has lost multiple immediate family members, starting at the young age of eleven, which propelled her to become a helper for those suffering from the trauma of loss. As a doctor of chiropractic, life coach, professor of biology, researcher, speaker, and now author, she has helped thousands learn more about themselves and their bodies through the pain they’re experiencing.

Her unique perspective and background, coupled with a little southern charm (hailing from Georgia) and even humor, have patients, students, and audience members walking away feeling hopeful despite their tragic losses.

Her debut children’s book, When I Can’t See You, is a sweet and poignant take on grief and loss when it becomes too confusing for young children. Through it, she hopes to spark conversations around the dinner table or during bedtime routines to begin healing the fractures that loss can cause within families.

Link to her book: https://a.co/d/0dUamdLV

Where Robin Reads

Disclosure: This post contains sponsored content. All opinions are my own.

Review - The Hijacking

 

Title: The Hijacking
Author: Niv Kaplan
Publisher: Austin Macauley
Publication Date: 20 June 2025
Language: English
Print Length: 390 pages

DESCRIPTION:

When a terrorist network resurfaces with a deadly new plan, Dakota Lake finds herself at the centre of a global crisis. Following a catastrophic ambush in London and a botched mission in Panama, Dakota takes the fall and is sidelined in a low-security prison. But as sleeper agents regroup and a new plot emerges targeting US energy infrastructure, Dakota is drawn back into action, this time aboard a luxury cruise ship with a deadly secret.

As the ship sails toward the Gulf of Mexico, what begins as a supposed COVID outbreak quickly reveals itself as a smokescreen for something far more sinister. With communications severed and senior crew taken hostage, Dakota must rally a small band of allies to stop the hijackers before they turn the ship into a floating weapon.

Gripping and grounded, The Hijacking is a high-stakes thriller that blends intelligence work, covert action, and the quiet heroism of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

MY THOUGHTS:

The Hijacking is a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller that immediately pulls you into a world of intelligence operations, global threats, and the consequences of missions that go wrong. The story follows Dakota Lake, who finds herself taking the blame after a disastrous ambush in London and a failed mission in Panama. Instead of continuing in the field, she is sidelined and placed in a low-security prison, carrying the weight of failure.

What makes the story compelling is that Dakota’s journey isn’t about being the perfect hero. She’s dealing with the fallout of past mistakes, which makes her determination to step back into danger feel much more realistic.

The tension builds when Dakota ends up aboard a luxury cruise ship heading toward the Gulf of Mexico. What initially appears to be a COVID outbreak quickly reveals itself as something far more calculated. Communications are cut, key crew members are taken hostage, and the ship becomes the centre of a terrifying plot that could threaten US energy infrastructure.

The cruise ship setting works perfectly for the story. With thousands of people trapped in the middle of the ocean and nowhere to escape, the danger feels immediate and claustrophobic. Every move carries risk, and every decision could mean survival or disaster.

I especially liked how the book balances action with strategy. It isn’t just about explosions or dramatic fights. Much of the tension comes from intelligence work, quick thinking, and the efforts of ordinary people who suddenly find themselves caught in an extraordinary situation.

Dakota stands out as a strong and layered protagonist. She isn’t fearless, but she refuses to stay on the sidelines when she realizes what’s at stake. Watching her gather allies and piece together the truth while the threat grows closer creates a gripping and suspenseful reading experience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Niv Kaplan was born in Kibbutz Ayelet HaShahar in Northern Israel in 1959. After high school, Niv served three years in an IDF special forces reconnaissance unit and took an active part in forming the IDF's Alpine unit, which he served in during reserve duty.

Niv received his BSc degree in Business Administration (Marketing) from California State University Northridge (CSUN) in 1992, spending close to ten years in New York and Los Angeles.

Niv has worked for 30 years in the aerospace industry and has written seven books so far, four of which have been published: Disappearance, Tracks, Sea Raid, Kibbutz, and Unplugged.

Three more books will soon be published by Austin Macauley: Sleepers, The Hijacking, and Whiteboy. Both Sleepers and The Hijacking are sequels to Tracks, Niv's second book already published.

Link to Book

Where Robin Reads

Disclosure: This post contains sponsored content. All opinions are my own.

What is a Blog Tour?

 

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If you follow book blogs regularly, you have most likely come across the term blog tour. You may have even noticed that many posts across different blogs feature the same book around the same time. That is not a coincidence. Those are blog tours.

What are blog tours? They are coordinated promotional posts where a book is featured across multiple blogs over a set period of time. These posts often include a book review, additional graphics, buy links, book description, sale links, author information and contact details, excerpts, Q&As, and sometimes even giveaways. Instead of traveling physically, the book “visits” different blogs online.

Why are blog tours done? Blog tours are arranged to help authors and publishers get their books noticed by a larger audience. If, for example, ten bloggers host the same tour, that means ten dedicated posts highlighting one book. When those bloggers share their posts across social media platforms, the reach becomes even wider. It is a collaborative effort to increase visibility and connect books with readers.

How are they arranged? Blog tours are typically organized by a publisher, publicist, tour company, or sometimes the author. Bloggers receive an invitation email asking if they would like to participate. Dates are prearranged, usually around the release date of the book. Interested bloggers choose an available date and confirm their participation.

What happens after agreeing to participate? Once confirmed, the blogger usually receives a media package close to their scheduled date. This may include graphics, the book blurb, author information, excerpts, interview questions, and purchase links. Sometimes publishers also provide formatted HTML for easy posting. The blogger then prepares the post and publishes it on the assigned date.

Who participates in hosting blog tours? In most cases, participants are book bloggers or Bookstagrammers with an active platform. Consistency and reliability are important, as posts must go live on the agreed date.

When and where are the posts published? The dates are scheduled in advance, and the host publishes the post on their blog on the assigned day. Many bloggers also cross-post or promote their tour stop on platforms such as Instagram, Threads, Facebook, or X to increase exposure.

Questions:

• What if I don't like the book that I am agreeing to host the tour for? In that case, you contact the publisher and let them know. If it is too late to have the blog tour graphics change, they often will be pleased for the host to simply run a promo for the book on the scheduled date.
• How many tours should I do? That depends on your regular reading schedule. One person may choose to do one per month, the next ten, and the next person even more.
• I love the idea but I don't have the time, so how can I help? Featured posts with everything except the actual book review, therefore you do not have to read the book, are just fine. This still helps with the publicity for that particular book.

Where Robin Reads

Review - Within the Mind Lantern

Title: Within the Mind Lantern
Author: Keerti Nair
Publisher: Bookleaf Publishing
Genre: Poetry
No. of Pages: 128
Date of Publication: 4 August 2025

POV: You open a poetry book expecting pretty words… and instead, it hands you a lantern and says, “Let’s sit with your thoughts for a while.”

Within The Mind Lantern by Keerti Nair isn’t loud. It doesn’t demand attention. It glows.

This collection feels like standing still in a world that’s constantly rushing. The poems move through nostalgia, nature, relationships, and quiet self-reflection — not with dramatic intensity, but with a softness that lingers. It’s the kind of book you don’t binge. You pause. You reread. You breathe between lines.

There’s something deeply intimate about the way these poems unfold. A childhood summer isn’t just described — it’s remembered. Self-doubt isn’t dramatized — it’s acknowledged like an old companion. Resilience isn’t loud or triumphant — it’s gentle, steady, and real.

What makes this collection special is its stillness.

It explores:

• The beauty in overlooked, ordinary moments.

• The ache of growing up and growing inward.

• The quiet conversations we have with ourselves at night.

• Finding light without forcing it.

The imagery feels warm and grounded — nature becomes both mirror and metaphor. A lantern isn’t just an object here; it’s a symbol of awareness. Of choosing to illuminate your inner world instead of avoiding it.

Reading this felt like journaling without having to write anything yourself.

It doesn’t try to fix you.

It simply sits beside you.

And sometimes, that’s enough.

🕯️Line of the Day:

“Not all light blinds — some light simply reminds you that you’re still here.”

Mood: Soft. Reflective. Comforting.

Vibe Check: Perfect for early mornings with tea or late nights when the world feels too loud.

Who should read this?

If you love poetry rooted in introspection rather than drama.

If you crave stillness in a noisy world.

If you underline lines and carry them in your pocket all day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Keerti Nair – a strategist by profession, a dancer by passion, and a mother to two boys – has always found quiet comfort in words. Scribbling poems and reflections off and on through the years, often in private, what began as a simple writing challenge rekindled a voice she had long carried within.

Between work calls, school runs, and stolen moments of stillness, revisited memories and emotions began to take shape. Within the Mind Lantern is her first published collection. With warmth and raw honesty, Keerti invites you to pause — to peek into the hidden spaces of the mind and perhaps see your own story flickering back at you, as a quiet reminder of the light we all carry within.

Link to her book:
https://amzn.in/d/0gP4QOUB

Where Robin Reads

Disclosure: This post contains sponsored content. All opinions are my own.