Sidetracked Sunday - On a Monday!

So I may be a day late posting this feature, but I've had the book read since the beginning of the month.  I've always been curious about this month's selection and since it was originally released in 1973, it more than qualifies for a book that's I've been wanting to read for a while - well, not that long though.  

TITLE: Burnt Offerings

AUTHOR: Robert Marasco

PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press

PUBLISHING DATE: 1973

FROM GOODREADS: Ben and Marian Rolfe are desperate to escape a stifling summer in their tiny Brooklyn apartment, so when they get the chance to rent a mansion in upstate New York for the entire season for only $900, it's an offer that's too good to refuse. There's only one catch: behind a strange and intricately carved door in a distant wing of the house lives elderly Mrs. Allardyce, and the Rolfes will be responsible for preparing her meals. 

But Mrs. Allardyce never seems to emerge from her room, and it soon becomes clear that something weird and terrifying is happening in the house. As the suspense builds towards a revelation of what really lies behind that locked door, the Rolfes will discover that their cheap vacation rental comes at a terrible cost . . . 

MY THOUGHTS:  So as I've mentioned, I've been curious about this book for quite some time and when I saw my library had the newest re-release, I had to grab it.  I mean, how could I possibly resist that cover anyway?  So "Burnt Offerings" is pretty much your classic haunted house book - or is it.  Is the house really haunted or is there something more sinister at work?

Ben and Marian have had it with Brooklyn city life so when Marian finds a country home, which is more like a mansion, for rent at an extremely reasonable price, they pack up their son and Ben's aunt and prepare for a summer away from it all.  It doesn't take long before some pretty creepy things to start happening and for Marian to become obsessed with actually meeting Mrs. Allardyce, the woman who lives upstairs, hidden away from public eye.

I don't know that I really liked any of the characters in this book.  Marian was definitely a borderline whiner/manipulator in my honest opinion and Ben was kind of spineless.  I did like their son and probably was most invested in what might happen to Ben's Aunt.  I can see why this is considered a horror classic but overall, I felt it was a tad slow.  The descriptions are quite wordy but there were some scenes that had me on the edge of my seat - or in my experience, the edge of my couch.  I remember seeing the movie a long time ago and finding it rather creepy and as the Halloween season is now in full swing, I'm hoping for a rewatch to see if it stands up as well the second time around.

When reading this, just keep in mind this is a 70's tale.  And it seems like a 70's tale as well.  I think anyone who likes atmospheric reads should definitely consider giving this one a go.  It's a solid read, it just didn't "wow" me.

RATING: 3 PAWS

Sidetracked Sunday #7 - Dog Days of Summer Version

So since The Farm is celebrating Dog Days of Summer this month, it's only fitting that for this month's Sidetracked Sunday, I chose a book I recently grabbed from my library.  I've read both a fiction and a non-fiction book from this author and her books are always fun and she definitely has a connection with dogs.  And for those who like dog tales, I definitely recommend "A Pug's Tale" and "Pug Hill" by the same author.

TITLE: City Dog

AUTHOR: Alison Pace

PUBLISHER: Berkley Books

PUBLISHING DATE: September 2, 2008

FROM GOODREADS: After her divorce, Amy Dodge thought she'd finally write the next Great American Novel. Instead she's written a bestselling children's book series, Run, Carlie, Run! starring her adorable and spirited West Highland White terrier and a dashing (but fictional) Scottish explorer. When Carlie is offered a starring role in her own television show, and the explorer begins to take on a life of his own, Amy's world takes a surreal turn.

But just when Amy starts thinking it's a dog's life after all, she figures out a way to make everything change. And though life in New York isn't always a walk in the park, it might just take her exactly where she needs to be.
MY THOUGHTS:  So Amy is recently divorced and living on her own.  She always wanted to be a "great " writer and constantly laments the novel she isn't writing, even though she has a bestselling children's book featuring her own dog Carlie.  Amy feels in a pretty stagnate position in life when she gets the opportunity for a television series featuring Carlie.  Although she is hesitant to commit, she does, but it's either going to be a great decision or one of her worst.

This is a pretty light read but it was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  I really liked Amy although I do think at times she was a very "Can't see the forest because of the trees" kind of gal.  "City Dog" does not focus a lot on romantic elements, but because of the nature of the book, you know it's going there.  Amy does meet a guy named Nick who is a host of an flashback 80's music show and I loved how the author used 80's song titles and lyrics for the chapter titles.  I recognized almost all of them so that was some added fun.  Also, there are chapters from Carlie's POV as well as from Carlie's fictional pal, Robert McGuire, who Amy has fashioned as the perfect man (and which is why she probably can't find a "real" man).  Carlie is definitely the smartest "person" in the whole book.  I also felt for a moment that a dreaded love triangle was being introduced but it was almost like Pace saw where it was headed and put on the brakes before it got out of hand.  

Overall I enjoyed "City Dog."  I loved meeting Carlie and found it to be more a book about self discovery than one about just romance.  If you like contemporary reads or better yet, dogs, I think you'd enjoy "City Dog."  

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Sidetracked Sunday #6

So after skipping last month's feature, because we all know by now that June was just a wipe out, I'm back on track and actually read a book this month that I've wanted to read for several years. It's no secret that I adore Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant, so when I got an e-arc for book two in this series, it was the perfect excuse to read the first one.

TITLE: Sparrow Hill Road (Ghost Road #1)

AUTHOR: Seanan McGuire

PUBLISHER: DAW

PUBLISHING DATE: May 6, 2014

FROM GOODREADS:  Rose Marshall died in 1952 in Buckley Township, Michigan, run off the road by a man named Bobby Cross—a man who had sold his soul to live forever, and intended to use her death to pay the price of his immortality. Trouble was, he didn’t ask Rose what she thought of the idea.

It’s been more than sixty years since that night, and she’s still sixteen, and she’s still running.

They have names for her all over the country: the Girl in the Diner. The Phantom Prom Date. The Girl in the Green Silk Gown. Mostly she just goes by “Rose,” a hitchhiking ghost girl with her thumb out and her eyes fixed on the horizon, trying to outrace a man who never sleeps, never stops, and never gives up on the idea of claiming what’s his. She’s the angel of the overpass, she’s the darling of the truck stops, and she’s going to figure out a way to win her freedom. After all, it’s not like it can kill her.

You can’t kill what’s already dead.

MY THOUGHTS:  This book is formatted quite strangely.  Basically it's one story of a girl named Rose Marshall, told in a series of short stories.  The timeline skips around a lot and it takes a while to catch on to how it's written but after the first 75 pages or so, I had a real feel for how it was going and enjoyed it.  "Sparrow Hill Road" tells the tale of Rose Marshall, a teenager who was killed on Prom Nights and now haunts the highways as a "hitcher" ghost.  This book not only tells us how Rose came to be, but some of her journeys and how she is constantly on the run from Bobby Cross, the man who killed her and is upset that her spirit escaped.  

This book is deeply rooted in urban legends and McGuire weaves a wonderful world explaining all the various ghost types.  Also, Rose is just a fun character.  She's feisty, snarky and extremely wise beyond her age - which makes sense because she's been a ghost for 60 plus years.  And if you have ever considered picking up this book, do so for Gary's story.  Gary was Rose's one and only love and the way McGuire worked him into the story was absolutely brilliant - and odd. 

I am pretty much convinced this author can write anything and I'd give it a chance.  In fact, I've already started on "The Girl in the Green Silk Gown" and it's is formatted more linearly so it's a much easier read.  "Sparrow Hill Road" is a wonderful ghost tale and even though it took me 4 years to read it, I'm glad I finally did.

RATING: 4 Paws

Sidetracked Sunday #5 - The Graphic Novel Edition

This month's choice comes from a series I absolutely love.  In fact, without double-checking, I'm pretty sure all the volumes have gotten at least 4/5 paws from me or higher.  Usually I grab the new releases as soon as I can from my library, but this time around, it took a tad bit longer - almost 6 months.

TITLE: Saga Vol. 8

AUTHORS: Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

PUBLISHER: Image Comics

PUBLISHING DATE: December 27, 2017

FROM GOODREADS: After the traumatic events of the War for Phang, Hazel, her parents, and their surviving companions embark on a life-changing adventure at the westernmost edge of the universe.

Collecting: Saga 43-48.

MY THOUGHTS:  It's a tad hard to review Volume 8 without giving too much away but I will say Saga continues to enthrall me and it's a series I hope doesn't end anytime in the near future because I'm not ready to say goodbye to most of the characters.  This volume does add in a new surprise love story but I have to be honest, I kind of saw it coming and I was thrilled.  I didn't get much Lying Cat but Issue 48 pretty much centered around my much beloved Ghus.  The art in this series continues to please and amaze and the story line remains refreshing despite encompassing issues 43-48.  Since it's hard to not spoil much else, let me leave you with some of the great artwork.

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

One of the best scenes in the entire volume!

You gotta love Hazel.....

Ghus goes to some pretty heroic measures to save his best pal Friendo.

So if you haven't started this yet, this summer's a perfect time to start.  Vol 9 releases in October!

Sidetracked Sunday #4 - A London Mystery

So we have my friend Stormi to thank for this month's choice.  I've had a digital arc of this book since before it was released.  She kept telling me I'd love it and you know what, she was right.  So thanks Stormi and on to the review!

TITLE: Murder on Black Swan Lane (A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery #1)

AUTHOR: Andrea Penrose

PUBLISHER: Kensington

PUBLISHING DATE: June 27, 2017

FROM GOODREADS: In Regency London, an unconventional scientist and a fearless female artist form an unlikely alliance to expose unspeakable evil . . .

The Earl of Wrexford possesses a brilliant scientific mind, but boredom and pride lead him to reckless behavior. He does not suffer fools gladly. So when pompous, pious Reverend Josiah Holworthy publicly condemns him for debauchery, Wrexford unsheathes his rapier-sharp wit and strikes back. As their war of words escalates, London’s most popular satirical cartoonist, A.J. Quill, skewers them both. But then the clergyman is found slain in a church—his face burned by chemicals, his throat slashed ear to ear—and Wrexford finds himself the chief suspect. 

MY THOUGHTS:  There were many things I enjoyed about this book.  One of London's most infamous clergyman is found dead and while there is not a shortage of suspects, the Earl of Wrexford is the prime suspect.  His innocence is further questions because a popular cartoonist, A.J. Quill keeps publishing artistic pieces which puts Wrexford's character under more and more scrutiny.  So Wrexford, knowing the local police want nothing more to arrest him and put the case to rest, ventures out to solve the case for himself and along the way, he finds the most unusual of allies.  

I though the mystery in "Murder on Black Swan Lane" was well done and quite complex.  I was pretty much unable to figure out the identity of the real culprit, which made me devour the book that much more quickly.  I also really liked the characters in the book as well as their relationships with each other.  Sloane, a struggling widow who plays prominently in the book, has taken two devilish youngsters under her wing named Raven and Hawk and I loved them as well as how they looked out for Sloane and always seemed to know what was going on in the underbelly of the city.  Finally, Penrose's writing flows easily and is quite enjoyable.  The book is full of banter and quick wit which I love.

If you love London setting and Victorian mysteries, don't wait as long as I did to pick this book up.  Also, the second installment was recently released and yes, I plan on reading it much sooner than I did "Murder on Black Swan Lane."

RATING: 4 PAWS

Sidetracked Sunday #3 - A Long Overdue Horror Read

So up this month is a horror book I've wanted to read for years.  So a few weeks ago, I located it at my local library and took it home.  Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down.  I've not heard a lot about it but know quite a few people who have mentioned they would like to read it.  All I can say is YES!  Do it!

TITLE: Snowblind
AUTHOR: Christopher Golden
PUBLISHER: St. Martin's Press
PUBLISHING DATE: January 21, 2014

FROM GOODREADS: The small New England town of Coventry had weathered a thousand blizzards...but never one like this. Icy figures danced in the wind and gazed through children's windows with soul-chilling eyes. People wandered into the whiteout and were never seen again. Families were torn apart, and the town would never be the same.

Now, as a new storm approaches twelve years later, the folks of Coventry are haunted by the memories of that dreadful blizzard and those who were lost in the snow. Photographer Jake Schapiro mourns his little brother, Isaac, even as-tonight-another little boy is missing. Mechanic and part-time thief Doug Manning's life has been forever scarred by the mysterious death of his wife, Cherie, and now he’s starting over with another woman and more ambitious crimes. Police detective Joe Keenan has never been the same since that night, when he failed to save the life of a young boy . . and the boy’s father vanished in the storm only feet away. And all the way on the other side of the country, Miri Ristani receives a phone call . . . from a man who died twelve years ago.

As old ghosts trickle back, this new storm will prove to be even more terrifying than the last.

MY THOUGHTS: So the book starts out with an incident that happened 12 years ago in Coventry where quite a few people died.  It occurred during a horrific snowstorm and the town never quite recovered.  Now every time there is a blizzard in the air everyone becomes tense.  When the story picks up 12 years later, the readers follows the lives of a few key characters.  Once again a blizzard is one its way, but this time strange things begin happening. A young boy is almost killed in an accident and wakes up very differently from before, a couple's preteen daughter suddenly starts acting much older than she is - like 50 years older, and an ex-girlfriend shows up wanting to rekindle a romance yet acts more like the man's dead wife than a past flame.

I need to say that Golden does a wonderful job creating a unique character - the snowstorm  itself.  If you love thrillers and horror novels with winter settings, look no further. The chilling weather made the chilling atmosphere much scarier and more unsettling.  I could almost hear the wind howling and the temperatures falling while curled up on my couch reading this.  I devoured this book quite quickly and had to learn more about the entities hiding within the storm.  I connected to many of the characters, even the thief, and rooted them on to safety.  I also felt the loss of those that weren't so lucky.

I'm glad I finally picked up "Snowblind" and it was just the horror read I needed this month.  It has gone to show me that I'm really glad I made the decision to pick up some older titles this year and maybe I can convince some of you to give this one a read too!

RATING:  5 Paws

Sidetracked Sunday - A Special Kind of Annoying

So for this month I am sharing the 4th installment of the Southern Cousins Series which I have slowly but surely been working my way through.  I can't lie, the main reason I still read this series is because of Elvis, the Basset, and I have to admit, I found this installment somewhat more annoying than the past ones.  Originally published in 2011, I just recently grabbed it from my library.

TITLE: Elvis and the Tropical Double Trouble

AUTHOR: Peggy Webb

PUBLISHER: Kensington

PUBLISHING DATE: October 1, 2011

FROM GOODREADS: It's two times the turmoil for mayhem magnet Callie, her curvaceous cousin Lovie, and Elvis, the King reincarnated as nothin' but a hound dog. This time they're finding a lot more than relics on an archeological dig that could truly be their ruin....Forced to choose between one man who wants to marry her and another who already did, Callie Valentine Jones can't think of a better way to check out of her personal Heartbreak Hotel then to get way, way out of town. So when Lovie invites the whole Valentine clan to visit her brainy new beau's worksite near Cozumel, Callie packs up her crooning basset hound and heads straight for the airport --- But the moment they arrive at the dig, Elvis sniffs out T-R-O-U-B-L-E, in the form of a skeleton too fresh to be part of the research and too dead to spell anything but homicide. 

Suspicious minds blame ghosts and gods, but Callie knows the guilty party is all too human --- and for once, she's determined not to get involved. That determination goes right out the window when Lovie and Elvis go missing. It's now or never, if Callie wants to save her cousin and her canine from someone who's got murder always on his mind. And when her sexy ex arrives to save the day, she'll have to keep her head together, because her love won't wait --- but neither will a killer with something deadly to hide.

MY THOUGHTS: So the Valentine clan head to Cozumel - Lovie, to see her boyfriend at his archaeological dig, Callie and her Uncle Charlie to attend a mortuary conference, and Mama and Fayrene, who knows.  And of course, we can't forget Elvis.  Look at him on that cover looking all handsome and courageous.  So early on, Lovie is kidnapped and Elvis follows her because he doesn't want her to be alone.  That leaves the rest of the crew looking for them during the remainder of the book.

This is the 4th installment of The Southern Cousins Mystery Series and I have to admit, I didn't enjoy it as much as the others.  Now basically all of these books contain some kind of annoyance.  Lovie is obsessed with having sex with her boyfriend, who is truly devoted to her but just thinks there are other things they could do.  Fayrene and Mama are pretty comical, but about half way through, I wanted to smack them - hard.  And Callie, she is so indecisive between her soon-to-be ex and her new boyfriend that I have no idea which way she's going to sway.

But then there is Elvis.  Since he is along for the kidnapped ride with Lovie, there are even more chapters told from his point of view which are absolutely precious.   Elvis is pretty much the main reason I continue with this series and yes, I will be continuing.  Just because I want more of that lovable pooch. However, hopefully the Valentine clan won't be as obnoxious once they are back on their home turf.

RATING: 3 PAWS

The Very First Sidetracked Sunday!

So we all do it.  We want to collect and read ALL the books and are enticed weekly by all the shiny new releases.  But we're only human and can't possibly read ALL the books. So some get pushed back and when that happens, unfortunately they get no attention and our stacks grow and grow and grow.

So I've implemented a new monthly feature.  Once a month, I will read a book that ISN'T a new release and which isn't getting all the hype (and we all know how that's worked out for me).  This book may come from my physical shelves, from my backlog of Netgalley acquisitions, or even from the library if it's just an older book I've always wanted to pick up.  So then on the last Sunday of the month, I'll share that review with you!  And it will from here on out be known as "Sidetracked Sunday!"

TITLE: Space Dumplins

AUTHOR: Craig Thompson

PUBLISHER: Graphix

PUBLISHING DATE: August 25, 2015

FROM GOODREADS: For Violet Marlocke, family is the most important thing in the whole galaxy. So when her father goes missing while on a hazardous job, she can't just sit around and do nothing. To get him back, Violet throws caution to the stars and sets out with a group of misfit friends on a quest to find him. But space is vast and dangerous, and she soon discovers that her dad is in big, BIG trouble. With her father's life on the line, nothing is going to stop Violet from trying to rescue him and keep her family together.

Visionary graphic novel creator Craig Thompson brings all of his wit, warmth, and humor to create a brilliantly drawn story for all ages. Set in a distant yet familiar future, Space Dumplinsweaves themes of family, friendship, and loyalty into a grand space adventure filled with quirky aliens, awesome spaceships, and sharp commentary on our environmentally challenged world. 

MY THOUGHTS: I remember hearing about this book when it first came out, but in 2015 I hadn't really tried graphic novels.  Then when I started reading them, I didn't even think to see if my library carried it.  A few weeks ago I saw "Space Dumplins" mentioned on Booktube, looked on my library site, and hit reserve.

"Space Dumplins" is advertised as juvenile fiction, but I think anyone who enjoys graphic novels would enjoy it. The artwork is bright, colorful and quite intricate.  Violet's father is a space scavenger and her mother an aspiring space designer.  One day her father takes a secret mission and suddenly disappears.  About that time, the galaxy is being inundated with space whale diarrhea - giant purple space whales - and they are rather cute.  Violet teams up with a team of misfits to look for her father and in the process, tries to save a captured baby whale.

I loved Violet and her misfit team.  My favorite is Elliot the Chick.  His father, a mad chicken scientist, abandoned him when he was young and although quite bright, he has no social skills.  Below are a few pics of Elliot.  And I forget to mention, every time he gets nervous, he has seizures, and Violet comforts and takes care of him where no one has before.

"Space Dumplins" is a story about friendship, family, adventure and how people are ruining the ecosystem.  It's told in a fun and innovative way and I really enjoyed reading this rather lengthy graphic novel.  If any of these topics interest you, or if you want to meet Elliot for yourself, then grab a copy and enjoy the space ride!

RATING: 4 PAWS

CHALLENGE: Swords and Stars Challenge - read a SFF graphic novel, Library Love