Waiting on Wednesday (23)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is weekly meme hosted over at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming anticipated releases.  Here is what I am most waiting for this week:







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Curio - Evangeline Denmark - January 5, 2016

 

 

FROM GOODREADS: Grey Haward has always detested the Chemists, the magicians-come-scientists who rule her small western town. But she has always followed the rules, taking the potion the Chemists ration out that helps the town’s people survive. A potion that Grey suspects she—like her grandfather and father—may not actually need.

By working at her grandfather’s repair shop, sorting the small gears and dusting the curio cabinet inside, Grey has tried to stay unnoticed—or as unnoticed as a tall, strong girl can in a town of diminutive, underdeveloped citizens. Then her best friend, Whit, is caught by the Chemists’ enforcers after trying to protect Grey one night, and after seeing the extent of his punishment, suddenly taking risks seems the only decision she can make.

But with the risk comes the reality that the Chemists know her family’s secret, and the Chemists soon decide to use her for their own purposes. Panicked, Grey retreats to the only safe place she knows—her grandfather’s shop. There, however, a larger secret confronts her when her touch unlocks the old curio cabinet in the corner and reveals a world where porcelain and clockwork people are real. There, she could find the key that may save Whit’s life and also end the Chemists’ dark rule forever.

WHY I'M WAITING:  The cover to this drew me in and then the description sealed its fate.  This sounds just like the type of book I have been wanting to read lately.  At least I don't have long to wait!

What are you waiting for this week?

 

Deceptions - A Triangle I Can Tolerate!

TITLE: Deceptions (Cainsville #3)
AUTHOR: Kelley Armstrong
PUBLISHER: Dutton
PUBLISHING DATE: August 18, 2015

FROM GOODREADS: (WARNING!  COULD CONTAIN SPOILERS!) Olivia Taylor Jones's life has exploded. She's discovered she is not only adopted, but her real parents are convicted serial killers. Fleeing the media frenzy, she took refuge in the oddly secluded town of Cainsville. She has since solved the town's mysteries and finds herself not only the target of its secretive elders but also her stalker ex-fiancé.

Visions continue to haunt her: particularly a little blond girl in a green sundress who insists she has an important message for Olivia, one that may help her balance the light and darkness within herself. Death stalks both Olivia and the two men most important to her, as she desperately searches to understand whether ancient scripts are dictating the triangle that connects them. Will darkness prevail, or does Olivia have the power to prevent a tragic fate?

MY THOUGHTS:  I really don't want to give too much away because this is the third book in what I understand will be a 5 book series. However, I can say I loved this book and I can't wait to see where the story heads next. I do believe this book was slightly slower than the previous two, and it took me about 75-100 pages until I reached that "can't put down" feeling, but I did eventually get there.

I can't praise Armstrong's writing enough. I have read her entire Women of the Underworld series, which I believe is 13, and adored the majority of them as well. As sad as I was when that series concluded, and as hesitant as I was to start the Cainsville series, I am glad I did.

This book is a perfect mix of mystery and thriller, with some paranormal elements thrown in. In fact, I think this book contains more out and out paranormal aspects than the first two. In those, the elements were more explored in ways of omens and visions (appropriate for the names I suppose - totally unintentional). Armstrong also tackles a love triangle, which I normally hate, with such grace and tact that it doesn't bother me at all. It is so woven into the plot of the book and there is a definitive reason for it, that it makes total sense. Plus, there is no insta-love. Another plus.

I can't recommend this series enough and if you love urban fantasy, mystery or thrillers, give it a go. I may even have to alter my opinion on a certain supernatural being because Armstrong is actually managing to change it.

RATING: 4 PAWS

 



This is my 4th book for the September is for Sequels challenge and the 2nd book for R.I.P. Challenge.

10 Books to Read if you like the Sookie Stackhouse series!

This top 10 weekly meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and can be found HERE.  Each week they focus on lists which cover various topics related to books and reading. This week I am focusing on 10 books to read if you like the Sookie Stackhouse series!

I love the urban fantasy genre so this was an easy list for me. Therefore you get 2 bonus recommendations.  I will warn you that all of the above are only the first in a series, so if you decide to check any out, you may be in for a long haul. Are any of these your favorites?

Stacking the Shelves (33)

Stacking the Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves or TBR piles, may it be physical or virtual.  This means you can include books you buy in a physical store, online, books you borrow from the library or friends, review books, gifts and of course, ebooks! The original meme was started over at Tynga's Reviews.  Last week was extremely busy and I didn't get to post my new additions, so I apologize if this seems a tad long.

Physical copies:

High Places: Annette Marie Spiezio (skinny book on top) - I received this one for review from the author and it talks about the emotional and spiritual connection between humans and dogs.
City of Ashes (Mortal Instrucments #2): Cassandra Clare - I never read these and owned none, so when I say the new covers, which have glorious spines, I decided to start picking them up.  I also bought the first one on a separate trip but was too lazy to walk upstairs and get it.
What's A Dog For?: John Homans, and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: Aurthur Conan Doyle were picked up at Bookoutlet
Bradstreet Gate: Robin Kirman - Received this from Blogging for Books earlier this week.

Once Upon A Zombie (The Color of Fear): Billy Phillips - I already had a ARC from Netgalley but Toon Studios Press sent me a lovely hardcover to review.
Magnificent Vibrations: Rick Springfield - I also already bought this for my kindle but couldn't resist when I saw a signed copy at Bookoutlet.  I am an 80's fangirl and ADORE Springfield.  I had to have a book he actually touched!
Furiously Happy: Jenny Lawson - Although I loved her first book and knew I would get this one eventually, I had no plans on walking out of Walmart with it Wednesday.  However, I did and I am glad.  I love Rory on the cover.

Digital ARCs:



Seize the Night New Tales of Vampiric Terror: Christopher Golden, Ed. - This comes out October 6th from Gallery Books.
Shriver: Chris Belden - Releases September 29, 2015 from Touchstone - I've heard decent things about this one.
Salvage A Ghost Story: Duncan Ralston - Releases November 10, 2015 from Forsaken.  This has good ratings so far.
Marked (The Soulseer Chronicles #1): Sue Tingey.  I really was drawn to this cover.  Jo Fletcher Books already released this one in March.


For my Kindle:

Briar Queen (Night and Nothing #2): Katherine Harbour - I still haven't read Thorn Jack but this was on sale last week so I grabbed it before the price went up again.
Ella the Slayer: A.W. Exley - Have wanted this for a while and it was marked down last weekend as well.
Salt & Storm: Kendall Kulper - Been eyeing this one for some time.
The Withering: Joshua Jacobs - Don't know much to say except I think this one has to do with zombies or a plague or something.


So have you read any of these and what did you add to your shelves this week.  Be sure to comment so I can be sure to check out your haul.  Have a great reading weekend!

The Dead House

TITLE: The Dead House
AUTHOR: Dawm Kurtagich
PUBLISHER: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
PUBLISHING DATE: September 15, 2015

FROM GOODREADS: Debut author Dawn Kurtagich is dead on in this terrifying psychological thriller!

Over two decades have passed since the fire at Elmbridge High, an inferno that took the lives of three teenagers. Not much was known about the events leading up to the tragedy - only that one student, Carly Johnson, vanished without a trace...

...until a diary is found hidden in the ruins.

But the diary, badly scorched, does not belong to Carly Johnson. It belongs to Kaitlyn Johnson, a girl who shouldn't exist Who was Kaitlyn? Why did she come out only at night? What is her connection to Carly?

The case has been reopened. Police records are being reexamined: psychiatric reports, video footage, text messages, e-mails. And the diary.

The diary that paints a much more sinister version of events than was ever made publicly known.

MY THOUGHTS:   First I want to say that I have recently found Dawn Kurtagich's videos on Booktube and I really enjoy them. She seems to energetic and quirky and I can tell she really loves books. Second, this book has been SOOOOOO hyped the past few weeks - everywhere. However (and you could tell this was coming), I am afraid I wanted to love this book a whole lot more than I actually did. That's not to say I didn't enjoy reading it, because most of the time I did, and I think it is a strong debut novel, but I can't help but compare this book to a roller coaster ride where I so desperately want to get off.

I loved the premise of this book. It didn't bother me that it was written in the form of emails, newspaper clippings, transcriptions of videos, etc., but I found it all jumped around too much for my liking. Also, I still don't know if this book was a book about possession or mental health. I understand it was a fine line throughout the novel, but it would have been nice to have a definite answer.

Finally, I didn't connect with Carly/Kaitlyn. In my defense, she was 2 souls in one body so I would imagine it would be really hard to connect with her. I wasn't really rooting for either one. The other characters were somewhat interesting and added flavor to the book, but I sort of discovered "the evil being" long before it being disclosed.

Please don't read this and think I am saying "Don't read this." The book is a cluster-f but it is something I haven't really read lately. I also think the author has to be a genius, or nuts, to put such a book together. I will definitely be keeping an eye on Kurtagich in the future because I honestly can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 3 PAWS 

This is my 2nd read for the R.I.P. Challenge - Go me! 

Waiting on Wednesday (22)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is weekly meme hosted over at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming anticipated releases.  Here is what I am most waiting for this week:



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The Secrets of Lizzie Borden: Brandy Purdy

 

FROM GOOREADS: In her enthralling, richly imagined new novel, Brandy Purdy, author of The Ripper’s Wife, creates a compelling portrait of the real, complex woman behind an unthinkable crime. Lizzie Borden should be one of the most fortunate young women in Fall River, Massachusetts. Her wealthy father could easily afford to provide his daughters with fashionable clothes, travel, and a rich, cultured life. Instead, haunted by the ghost of childhood poverty, he forces Lizzie and her sister, Emma, to live frugally, denying them the simplest modern conveniences. Suitors and socializing are discouraged, as her father views all gentleman callers as fortune hunters. Lonely and deeply unhappy, Lizzie stifles her frustration, dreaming of the freedom that will come with her eventual inheritance. But soon, even that chance of future independence seems about to be ripped away. And on a stifling August day in 1892, Lizzie’s long-simmering anger finally explodes… Vividly written and thought-provoking, The Secrets of Lizzie Borden explores the fascinating events behind a crime that continues to grip the public imagination—a story of how thwarted desires and desperate rage could turn a dutiful daughter into a notorious killer.

Within the past year or so, it seems I have taken a great liking to books and movies related to Lizzie Borden, so I was thrilled to see another one coming out.  This releases in January 2016 and I can't wait. 

What are you waiting for this week?

 

Top 10 Tuesday - Books on My Fall TBR

This top 10 weekly meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and can be found HERE.  Each week they focus on lists which cover various topics related to books and reading. This week we are looking at the top 10 books on our fall TBRs which is perfect because I need to plan and prioritize my reading for the next few months.  So here we go!

Cujo: Stephen King.  I don't even own this book (one of the few King books not in my collection) but the past few days I have decided I really want to read it before Halloween.  I think Booker T will love reviewing it!

House Trained: Jackie Bouchard.  This book releases in October and I absolutely cannot wait to read it.  I read my first Bouchard book 2 months ago and she is already one of my favorite authors. 

The Subterranean Season: Dale Bailey.  This horror book comes out in November and it sounds like a perfect Halloween read.

A Likely Story (Library Lover's Mystery #6): Jenn McKinlay.  This is one of the few series which I am current on and when I was approved for this ARC, I was thrilled. 

Greythorne: L.M.Merrington.  Sounds like an eerie ghost story and I need to get it read sometime in October since it releases then.

The Casquette Girls: Alys Arden.  Witches, New Orleans...count me in!

Wonderland: Jennifer Hillier.  "An edgy thriller about the gruesome secrets hidden beneath a small-town amusement park."  Perfect for a fall read!

NOS4A2: Joe Hill.  It's been on my shelf forever so I should finally get to it.  I wish I had the first cover shown - isn't is just awesome!

Deceptions (Cainsville #3): Kelley Armstrong.  I love this series and have to read this soon!

Chapelwood: Cherie Priest.  How could you not read this in the fall????










So what are you hoping to read this fall?  Leave a comment and let me know if you have read any of these.

Never Broken Review

TITLE: Never Broken (Songs Are Only Half the Story)
AUTHOR: Jewel
PUBLISHER: Blue Rider Press
PUBLISHING DATE: September 15, 2015

FROM GOODREADS: New York Times bestselling poet and multi-platinum singer-songwriter Jewel explores her unconventional upbringing and extraordinary life in an inspirational memoir that covers her childhood to fame, marriage, and motherhood.

MY THOUGHTS: 
I remember when Jewel first hit it big and I always knew her teen and young adult life was difficult, so when I saw she was releasing this book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. First let me say that I think the cover is gorgeous. It embodies exactly what I envision when I think of Jewel. I also thought the parts of the book that documented her childhood, her messed up family and her struggle not just to get her music heard, but to actually survive without getting killed or dying were great. However, I did have some struggles with the book.

Jewel definitely has a way with words. It is evident in her songs, her previously released book of poetry, and in this book, but at times, I found the novel to be too wordy. The other main problem I had is that I found this book to be about 50% autobiographical and about 50% self help oriented. And I really don't like self help books very much, especially when I am not expecting them.

Anyone who loves Jewel will find value in this book. In fact, even if you aren't a big fan, if you like self help books that focus on overcoming obstacles, learning from your experiences and moving on, you will find value in this book. I have to be honest though and while I gave this book 3 paws, I did so primarily because I love Jewel and I loved hearing her story, not because of the way it was told.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

MY RATING: 3 PAWS